Passengers on Delta Airlines flight DL1109 experienced an unexpected diversion on Friday when their flight from Albuquerque was rerouted to Farmington. The diversion was caused by a disabled aircraft at Albuquerque International Sunport, which prevented the Delta flight from landing as planned.

Incident Details

The flight, carrying 178 passengers and six crew members, was forced to change course due to a mechanical issue with another aircraft that had landed at the Sunport. According to a spokesperson for Delta Airlines, the disabled aircraft lost a wheel, leading to a temporary closure of the runway.

Albuquerque resident Jeanette Ashby, a passenger on the flight, recounted the experience, stating that the plane was about to land when it had to ascend again. The aircraft circled the airport briefly before heading to Four Corners Regional Airport in Farmington due to low fuel.

Response and Passenger Experience

After landing in Farmington, passengers spent several hours at the airport. Delta Airlines provided food and arranged for buses to transport passengers back to Albuquerque. The aircraft eventually returned to the Sunport later that night without passengers.

Diana Lopez, spokesperson for Albuquerque International Sunport, confirmed that the runway was closed for approximately 15 minutes while the disabled aircraft was removed from the runway safety area. The swift response ensured that the situation was handled safely and efficiently.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.