Hundreds of Delta passengers spend night on tarmac after planes diverted to airport with no customs

Delta Passengers Stranded on Tarmac Overnight Due to Bad Weather

Approximately 300 Delta passengers traveling from Mexico to Atlanta found themselves stranded on the tarmac of Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama after their flights were diverted due to severe weather conditions. The unexpected layover caused a delay of 15 hours, leaving travelers frustrated and exhausted.

Two separate flights from Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas were rerouted to Montgomery Regional Airport when storms forced a ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, their original destination. Passengers were left stranded without Customs and Border Protection facilities at the regional airport, preventing them from disembarking the planes.

One passenger, Alex Alvarez, described the ordeal as a never-ending journey, with the plane circling in the air until it was forced to land in Montgomery due to fuel constraints. The lack of customs clearance further complicated the situation, as pilots and crew had exceeded their maximum allowed hours, leading to an overnight stay on the tarmac.

Despite the inconvenience, Delta provided minimal provisions such as chips and sandwiches to the stranded passengers. The airline later issued an apology and promised full refunds to affected customers for the disruption to their travel plans.

After waiting for hours, passengers were finally allowed off the plane early Friday morning to await a rescheduled flight to Atlanta once the weather cleared. However, they remained confined to the gate area as customs procedures had not been completed.

Delta acknowledged the shortcomings in their customer service during the incident and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the weather-related diversion. The airline assured that they are working to assist each affected passenger and ensure a satisfactory resolution to the situation.