Delta Air Lines canceled its overnight flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam on May 13, 2025, after facing two serious issues—one mechanical and one involving food safety. This disruption highlighted the operational risks airlines face during long-haul international flights. The Minneapolis-bound aircraft experienced an auxiliary power unit failure while parked at the gate. While the maintenance crew tried to fix the issue, the hours passed quickly. As a result, passengers waited through several gate changes and unclear announcements that added to their confusion.

As the delay stretched into the early morning, Delta Air Lines faced another problem. The onboard meals had expired due to the prolonged wait on the tarmac. International regulations require proper catering on transatlantic flights, especially for crew duty requirements and passenger safety. By 2 a.m., the airline had to cancel the flight. While this angered many travelers, Delta Air Lines followed safety rules to avoid legal and regulatory trouble.

Catering services often close overnight, especially at airports like Minneapolis, making it nearly impossible to reload fresh meals. These meals must remain within approved temperature ranges. Since the mechanical issue delayed takeoff, the food no longer met safety standards. The airline could not replace it quickly due to the late hour and limited staffing.

Delta Air Lines chose cancellation over risking food safety violations or facing crew fatigue. Departing without meals might have breached federal and labor requirements, affecting crew performance and duty limits. Furthermore, a delayed departure could have triggered missed connections and affected operations system-wide.

This situation exposed deeper issues in international flight logistics. Late-night flights leave little margin for error. While the passenger frustration was valid, Delta Air Lines prioritized compliance and risk management. Clearer updates and faster decisions could improve such situations. However, safety and regulation must always lead every decision.

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