Delta flight from Hartford to Atlanta diverted for “maintenance issue”

WINDSOR LOCKS — A Delta Air Lines flight from Hartford to Atlanta had to be diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, officials said.

“After experiencing a maintenance issue, Delta Flight 2069 from Hartford to Atlanta was diverted to New York-JFK where it made a routine landing,” Delta spokesperson Alexis Paige said in a statement. “Customers were reaccommodated on a secondary aircraft. We apologize to our customers for this inconvenience. The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority.”

In a follow-up statement, Morgan Durrant, another spokesperson for Delta, said the diversion was necessary because the landing gear would not retract after departure from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. He said the pilot crew reported minor but manageable vibration in the aircraft during its landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Durrant said the flight crew told passengers on the plane to brace out of an abundance of caution during that landing. He said the flight departed from Bradley at 10:26 a.m. on Sunday and arrived at the gate in John F. Kennedy International Airport at 12:34 p.m. He said the continuation of the flight departed JFK at 4:31 p.m. and arrived in Atlanta at 7:09 p.m.

“Customers were provided meals at JFK during their wait for a new aircraft,” he said.

“We have been in touch with customers on Flight 2069 from June 11 individually to express our apology — we echo that apology again today and continue to remain open to hearing their feedback directly,” he said. “While the circumstances of this flight were rare, flight crews extensively train through many scenarios to achieve a safe resolution. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people.”