There was recently a surprising and massive disruption to air traffic at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). At least 200 flights were affected last Saturday because there was no food on board.
The cause: an unannounced inspection of the airport's food facilities, which found significant deficiencies. Delta Air Lines, which operates the largest share of flights at DTW, was particularly affected, but American Airlines flights were also affected. It is assumed that the inspection was carried out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
causes and consequences
The inspection of the catering facilities, which apparently "failed," is directly related to an incident in July of this year when several passengers became ill from tainted food on a Delta flight from Detroit to Amsterdam. The flight's crew discovered that some of the meals in the main cabin were contaminated with black mold, and the flight was diverted to New York. This scare led to increased attention to food safety among caterers at DTW.
On Saturday, meals were suspended for flights departing Detroit after Delta issued a statement saying that "a safety issue was discovered during an inspection at a DTW kitchen." Delta immediately stopped producing hot meals at the affected facility and shifted supply to the flights to other catering partners. There were no hot meals and in some cases no drinks on the affected flights, passengers reported on social media.
Passenger reactions
The reactions of the affected passengers ranged from displeasure to concern. Bill Hanley, an American Airlines passenger on a flight from Detroit to Dallas/Fort Worth, shared his experience in a Facebook post: "There was no catering on all flights out of Detroit today." This was an unusual situation, especially in first class, where hot meals are normally offered on domestic flights. Hanley also noted that the inspection had apparently taken place "already last night" and that several airlines were affected.
Another passenger reported a Delta flight from Detroit to Tampa where not only food but also drinks were missing. Despite the unusual circumstances, many passengers were understanding, especially given that the inspection was apparently done for safety reasons.
Delta and the catering problems
Delta's catering problems do not seem to be new. Back in July 2024, 24 passengers on a flight from Detroit had to be treated after being served spoiled food. The meals contained chicken contaminated with black mold, resulting in mass poisoning. This incident prompted Delta to temporarily suspend the regular menu in the main cabin on over 70 international flights and only serve pasta.
This latest incident highlights the challenges airlines face when it comes to catering. Large airlines such as Delta and American Airlines outsource their catering services to specialized companies that operate their own kitchens at airports. Various catering companies operate at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, including major providers such as Gate Gourmet and Sky Chefs. Despite regular checks, problems seem to keep cropping up.
The role of regulators
Responsibility for monitoring food safety in catering establishments lies with U.S. authorities. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are responsible for inspections, depending on what type of food is produced. In this case, however, it is unclear which agency conducted the inspection. Delta and American Airlines have not yet released any details about the results of the inspection or the specific violations.
However, safety on board remains the top priority for passengers and airlines are obliged to ensure that catering meets high standards. Poor food can not only negatively affect the travel experience but also pose significant health risks.
Impact on Air Traffic
The catering problems at Detroit Metropolitan Airport have had a massive impact on air traffic. Although most flights operated as scheduled, passengers on domestic and some international flights had to make do without hot meals and drinks. Flights with longer flight times and which normally offer full catering were particularly affected. Delta announced that flights from Detroit will now be supplied by other catering partners until the problems at the affected facility are resolved.
The situation at Detroit Airport is not an isolated case. Problems with catering are not uncommon in the airline industry, as in-flight catering requires complex logistics. Meals must be stored and prepared under strict conditions before being brought on board. Poor hygiene or incorrect storage can quickly lead to contamination, as the incident in July showed.
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