Airbus A330-900 Diverted to Minneapolis En Route to Amsterdam

A Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam instead ended its day at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport on July 30 after encountering what the airline described as “significant turbulence.”

Flight DL56, operated by an Airbus A330-900, was carrying 275 passengers and 13 crew members when the midair jolt prompted a change in course.

Upon landing safely around 7:45 p.m., emergency responders met the aircraft at the gate. According to Delta, 25 people were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. This included 7 crew members, who were thrown through the cabin when the bumps hit. The airline later confirmed that no serious injuries were reported, and all those taken in for care were eventually released.

Delta stated that its DeltaCare Team contacted passengers directly following the incident to offer support, handle travel logistics, and ensure any immediate needs were addressed. A special flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam was scheduled for the following evening so that affected passengers could continue their journey… albeit with an unusual story to tell.

“Safety is our No. 1 value at Delta, and our Delta Care Team on Wednesday night and Thursday personally reached out to customers who were on the flight to assist them with their immediate needs, as well as coordinate their onward travel,” a statement from the airline read. Delta also noted its cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board, which has opened an investigation into the event.

This isn’t the first case of turbulence causing an unplanned landing this year. In March, five passengers were injured on a SkyWest (United Express) flight after rough air forced the aircraft to divert to Waco, Texas.

As commercial air traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels, turbulence-related incidents have garnered increased scrutiny. Exactly how climate patterns may be affecting the frequency and intensity of clear-air turbulence, which often occurs without warning, remains a point of focus.

FMI: www.delta.com