Thunderstorms forced Delta to inspect 100+ planes and cancel over 380 flights at its Atlanta hub

A violent storm sweeping across the southeastern United States on Friday forced Delta Air Lines to ground more than 100 aircraft for urgent inspections, sparking widespread delays and over 380 flight cancellations at the airline’s main hub in Atlanta.

The turbulent weather lashed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—the busiest airport in the country and the nerve centre of Delta’s operations—bringing torrential rain, lightning, hail, and winds so fierce they prompted an evacuation of the FAA’s air traffic control tower.

The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed that some staff remained in the tower to guide inbound aircraft, while most personnel were temporarily evacuated due to the storm’s intensity. A flash flood warning was also issued for the area as conditions deteriorated rapidly.

The knock-on effects crippled Delta’s flight schedule not only on Friday but into Saturday, as the airline scrambled to resume normal operations. “The weather impacts have resulted in more than 380 system cancellations for Saturday,” a Delta spokesperson told the New York Post.

With over 900 Delta flights departing Atlanta daily, the ripple effects were felt nationwide.

The airline announced that all storm-related inspections were completed by Saturday morning, but warned travellers to expect further delays and cancellations as teams worked to reset aircraft and reposition displaced crew.

“On behalf of Delta’s 100,000 people who are working to restore our operation to its hallmark reliability, I am sorry for the inconvenience and uncertainty this event has caused,” said Erik Snell, Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer.

Passengers stranded at terminals vented frustration online as check-in queues stretched and departure boards filled with red. Others commended Delta for prioritising safety amid the chaos.

Spokesperson Erica Hutlas, quoted by Aviation A2Z, said Delta’s people were “working as safely and quickly as possible to recover flights.”

This storm has highlighted the vulnerability of even the most robust airline operations to severe weather, especially when it directly hits an operational lynchpin like Atlanta. With thousands of passengers displaced and connections missed, it’s a stark reminder of how dependent modern air travel is on favourable skies and seamless logistics.

The FAA has yet to announce any formal review into the emergency tower evacuation, though industry analysts have already raised questions about infrastructure resilience at such a critical hub.

Meanwhile, Delta continues to apologise and accommodate affected customers, waiving change fees and working overtime to rebook flights.

As the storm clouds clear, Delta’s massive recovery operation remains ongoing. Passengers, staff, and airport personnel are bracing for a drawn-out return to normalcy—and hoping that the next few days don’t bring another meteorological twist.