Roberta Aguirre
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In January 2025, a Delta Air Lines flight to Minneapolis carrying over 200 passengers was forced to abort its takeoff due to engine issues. The incident, which occurred during a snowstorm, resulted in four injuries and the closure of all runways for a period of time. This caused significant disruption, with over 400 flights cancelled and thousands of passengers affected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | January 10, 2025 |
| Airline | Delta Air Lines |
| Aircraft | Boeing 757-300 |
| Flight Number | 2668 |
| Destination | Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) |
| Number of Passengers | 201 |
| Number of Pilots | 2 |
| Number of Flight Attendants | 5 |
| Incident Type | Aborted Takeoff |
| Cause of Incident | Engine Issue/Engine Fire |
| Injuries | 4 Minor Injuries |
| Runway Status | All 5 Runways Closed |
| Number of Cancelled Flights | 500+ |
| Weather Conditions | Snowstorm |
What You'll Learn
Delta Air Lines flight aborts takeoff
On January 10, 2025, a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort its takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing approximately 200 passengers to evacuate the plane through emergency slides. The flight, which was bound for Minneapolis, experienced an engine issue, according to Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant.
The incident occurred during a snowstorm that was causing widespread cancellations and delays at the airport. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, and one was taken to the hospital. The flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff, prioritizing the safety of everyone on board.
Delta issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring customers that their safety is the top priority. They also offered affected customers the option to rebook without additional costs. The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it would investigate the incident.
This was not an isolated incident of a Delta flight aborting takeoff. On April 27, 2016, a Miami-bound Delta Air Lines flight aborted takeoff at the same Atlanta airport to avoid a potential collision with another aircraft that was crossing the runway. The departing plane had to execute a "high-speed slowdown," and the aircraft were separated by just over a mile when the takeoff was aborted.
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Hundreds of flights cancelled
On Friday, January 10, 2025, a Delta Air Lines jet with over 200 passengers on board was forced to abort its takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 757-300, experienced an engine problem, with one passenger reporting that the engine had caught fire. This led to the deployment of emergency slides, and passengers evacuating the plane and running through the snow. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, with one being taken to the hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The FAA has cited a "reported engine issue" as the cause, but officials have not confirmed whether the problem was due to a fire. Delta Air Lines has issued an apology and is working to support affected customers.
The incident occurred during a winter storm that battered the southeastern United States, with Atlanta's airport being one of the hardest hit. The snow caused widespread cancellations and delays, with all five runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport closed for a period on Friday. Delta Air Lines reported that they had already canceled about 500 flights at the airport by noon, and more cancellations and rescheduling were expected.
The impact of the winter storm on Atlanta's airport resulted in significant disruptions to travel. By 11 a.m. ET on Friday, more than 400 flights had been canceled, representing over 40% of the day's scheduled flights. This contributed to the nationwide cancellation of more than 2,500 flights. The following day, Saturday, saw over 1,200 flight changes, with a combination of cancellations and delays causing significant inconvenience to travelers.
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Holiday travel season rush
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. So, it's no surprise that the holiday travel season rush is a hectic time for the airport. In the 2024 holiday season, the airport was expecting a record-breaking 4 million passengers to pass through during the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year travel periods.
The holiday rush can put a strain on airport operations, with an increased risk of delays and cancellations. In 2024, a brief American Airlines ground stop disrupted flights on Christmas Eve, causing frustration for travellers. And in 2025, a major winter storm blanketing the southeast with snow caused travel chaos, with hundreds of flights cancelled and long wait times at security checkpoints.
The holiday season rush also impacts the airlines themselves, with Delta Air Lines, for example, navigating a complex schedule with full-throttle operations. In one notable incident on January 10, 2025, a Delta flight to Minneapolis with 201 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants on board had to abort its takeoff due to engine issues. The passengers evacuated the plane via emergency slides, with four minor injuries reported.
Despite the challenges, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains a crucial hub for holiday travel, with thousands of travellers passing through each year to spend time with their loved ones.
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Car thefts
The methods employed by thieves to steal cars from the airport have varied. One common tactic is "tailgating," where thieves follow closely behind another vehicle when exiting the parking lot, slipping out undetected when the gate opens. This method has been utilised despite increased security measures, including additional security personnel and enhanced video monitoring systems.
In some instances, perpetrators have also been able to reprogram car keys quickly, aiding in their swift thefts. The ease of accessing and reprogramming key fobs has been cited as a contributing factor to the rise in car thefts. In response, the police have implemented several strategies, including increasing patrols during busy travel periods and testing anti-theft technology.
The impact of these thefts on vehicle owners can be significant, as illustrated by the experience of Jennifer Powell, whose car was stolen during a short trip. She expressed her frustration and disappointment with the airport's security measures, vowing never to fly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport again.
To combat car thefts, the Atlanta Police Department has made several arrests and is working closely with the Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit. Additionally, the airport management has implemented additional security measures, including new technology and equipment, to aid in investigations and reduce the number of stolen vehicles.
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Ride-sharing issues
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been facing issues with ride-sharing services, with Uber and Lyft customers complaining about the need for an improved ride-sharing experience. This comes amid a host of other issues at the airport.
On January 10, 2025, a Delta Air Lines jet with over 200 passengers on board was forced to abort its takeoff at Atlanta Airport due to an engine issue. The aircraft, a Boeing 757-300, was headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul from Atlanta when the problem occurred. The pilots followed established procedures and suspended the takeoff, with all 201 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants evacuating the plane via emergency slides. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, with one being taken to the hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both stated that they will investigate the incident. The FAA closed all five runways at the airport following the incident, leading to the cancellation of about 500 flights. The cancellations were also attributed to a snowstorm that was causing widespread disruptions at the airport.
The incident caused significant travel disruptions, with video footage showing evacuated passengers standing in the snow-covered tarmac. By 11 a.m. ET on the same day, over 400 flights had been canceled at the airport, amounting to more than 40% of the day's scheduled flights.
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Frequently asked questions
A Delta Air Lines flight to Minneapolis aborted its takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing passengers to evacuate via emergency slides and resulting in four minor injuries.
The cause was an engine issue, though it is unclear if it was due to a fire.
Yes, there were widespread cancellations and delays due to a snowstorm, with over 400 flights cancelled as of 11 am ET.
Yes, there were also issues with cancellations and delays on the following Sunday, though to a lesser extent than the previous day.
Yes, there have been several other incidents at the airport in recent years, including car thefts, ride-sharing issues, ground stops, and an inquiry into unprompted searches.
