Following technical problems with their Delta Air Lines aircraft, hundreds of travelers headed for Detroit spent Sunday night at a remote Canadian military barracks, the company reported.
Delta Flight 135, carrying 270 customers, three pilots and seven flight attendants from Amsterdam to the US, made the unexpected overnight detour to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador “out of an abundance of caution,” Delta said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot of the Airbus 330 “reported problems with deicing equipment and diverted to Happy Valley-Goose Bay Airport in Canada around 3:15 p.m. local time.” The FAA said it will investigate.
“Crew duty times were impacted due to weather and runway conditions at the Goose Bay airport causing the airport to suspend operations,” Delta said, and the passengers stayed overnight Sunday in military barracks in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a community of about 8,000 residents in Central Labrador. Goose Bay Airfield is home to military and civilian operations with two major runways.
In cooperation with local authorities, the airline provided meals and lodging for travelers. Delta stated it is compensating impacted customers, but it would not provide further details.
“On Monday, Delta dispatched extra planes to Goose Bay in order to transport passengers to their ultimate destination. The airline expressed its regret to its patrons for any inconvenience caused.