Atlanta Storm Disrupts Southeast Travel: Delta Grounds 100 Planes, 380 Flights Canceled

Severe thunderstorms swept across the U.S. Southeast on Friday evening, unleashing flash flooding, hail, and damaging winds that disrupted air travel and ground operations at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States.

Delta Air Lines, which operates its main hub in Atlanta, announced that over 90 flights were diverted across the region as the storm struck just before 8 p.m., bringing quarter-inch hail and microburst winds. Due to potential hail damage, the airline grounded 100 aircraft for safety inspections. Delta technicians worked overnight to inspect and clear the planes, with most returning to service by Saturday morning, the airline confirmed to FOX Weather.

The cascading weather impacts led to over 380 flight cancellations on Saturday, and Delta warned of continued delays and disruptions as flight crews underwent mandatory rest and aircraft rotations were restored.

From 7:11 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop, halting all takeoffs and landings at Hartsfield–Jackson. During the height of the storm, the FAA evacuated most personnel from the control tower due to strong winds. Only two controllers remained to manage inbound aircraft communications, according to a spokesperson for the airport.

The storm also brought intense rainfall, with nearly an inch recorded in one hour. Flash flooding was reported in the area, and standing water forced the closure of northbound Interstate 75 just east of the airport, the National Weather Service reported.

Delta expressed appreciation for passengers' patience, stating, “Our teams are working as safely and quickly as possible to recover flights impacted by thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and winds.”