Two Delta flights from Mexico were diverted to Montgomery, Alabama, where nearly 300 passengers endured a night confined on planes due to the airport’s lack of customs facilities.
At a Glance
- Two Delta flights from Mexico diverted to Montgomery due to severe weather
- Montgomery Regional Airport lacked customs facilities, trapping passengers onboard
- Passengers remained on planes from approximately 10:30 p.m. to after 5 a.m.
- Delta issued apologies and full refunds to affected travelers
- Incident raises concerns about emergency planning for international flights
Flights Diverted Amid Severe Weather
On April 10, 2025, Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges when two international flights—Flight 1828 from Cabo San Lucas and Flight 599 from Mexico City—were diverted from their intended destination of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The diversion was necessitated by severe thunderstorms in the Atlanta area, which also affected nearby airports, rendering them unsuitable for landing, according to People.
Montgomery Regional Airport, while accommodating, lacked the necessary U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities to process international arrivals. As a result, nearly 300 passengers were confined to their aircraft overnight, unable to disembark until customs arrangements could be made.
Watch FOX 5 Atlanta’s full report on the incident.
Passengers Endure Overnight Ordeal
Passengers aboard the diverted flights landed in Montgomery around 10:30 p.m. and remained on the tarmac until after 5 a.m. the following morning. During this time, they were provided with minimal refreshments, including sandwiches and chips, as they awaited clearance to enter the terminal, as reported by the New York Post.
Flight crews had reached their maximum duty hours, further complicating the situation and delaying the continuation of the journey to Atlanta. Once passengers were allowed into the terminal, they remained in a restricted area until they could be transported to their final destination, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Delta Responds to the Incident
In response to the incident, Delta Air Lines issued a public apology, stating, “We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience. We fell short of how we aspire to serve and care for our customers amid thunderstorms in the Southeast U.S. Thursday evening.” The airline confirmed that all affected passengers would receive a full refund of their booking, as noted by People.
Delta also announced a thorough review of the events to implement improvements and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident has sparked discussions about the preparedness of regional airports to handle unexpected international arrivals and the protocols airlines have in place for such emergencies
