Delta flight to Lagos turns back to Atlanta mid-air over operational issue

A Delta Air Lines long-haul work operating from the United States to Nigeria was forced to crook backmost mid-journey aft spending respective hours successful the air, pursuing what the hose described arsenic an operational issue.

Flight DL54, which was scheduled to run from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Lagos, departed Atlanta astatine astir 5:42 p.m. EDT connected May 9 aboard an Airbus A330-200 (registration N854W).

According to formation tracking data, the craft climbed to a cruising altitude of astir 33,000 feet and maintained a mean eastbound way for astir 3 and a fractional hours earlier the unit made the determination to reverse course.

The aircraft, which had already crossed a important information of the Atlantic, turned backmost toward its departure constituent aft what the hose described arsenic an unspecified operational issue. 

Delta did not supply further details connected the method oregon logistical situation that prompted the diversion.

Aviation tracking reports indicated that alternatively of diverting to an alternate airdrome successful Europe oregon the Azores, the unit opted to instrumentality straight to Atlanta, suggesting the contented required attraction astatine the airline’s main base.

The craft landed backmost successful Atlanta successful the aboriginal hours of Sunday, aft which the hose cancelled the work for inspection and further method checks.

The aff...