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Passengers Stranded Overnight After Flights Diverted to Alabama
In a rare incident that highlights the complexities of air travel, two Delta flights were forced to divert to Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama due to severe weather conditions, leaving passengers stranded inside the planes overnight.
The flights, Delta Flight 1828 from Cabo San Lucas and Flight 599 from Mexico City, were originally en route to Atlanta when they were redirected on Thursday evening, April 10, 2025, as reported by local news outlet AL.com.
Unfortunately, Montgomery Regional Airport lacks customs facilities, rendering it impossible for the international passengers to disembark. As a result, nearly 300 travelers remained confined to the aircraft on the tarmac throughout the night, highlighting a critical gap in airport service capabilities for international flights.
A representative from Delta issued a statement expressing regret for the mishap, 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.” They also announced plans to refund all affected passengers fully.
Passengers finally exited the planes after 5 a.m., following their overnight confinement. One traveler, Lauren Forbes, recounted the situation to WCVB, explaining, “I guess the law is that if there’s no customs at the airport, you are literally stuck on that airplane.”
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The airport’s website confirmed that operations resumed around 4 a.m. However, the nearby Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which does have customs facilities, was not an option for the diverted flights due to the prevailing severe weather.
This incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges travelers can face and the critical importance of airports being well-equipped to handle all types of flights, particularly international ones.
Source
www.yahoo.com