MINNEAPOLIS- Delta Air Lines (DL) on May 13, 2025, canceled a transatlantic flight from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) due to an unexpected food safety issue.

Passengers had already boarded the aircraft before the situation escalated into a protracted delay, culminating in a late-night cancellation.

Delta Cancels Flight Over Food Issue

The flight initially encountered a mechanical issue with the auxiliary power unit (APU), followed by extensive delays and ultimately a cancellation that passengers found both frustrating and confusing.

The airline cited compromised catering as the final reason, raising concerns about operational decision-making during late-night disruptions.

Passengers on the Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis (MSP) to Amsterdam (AMS) boarded as scheduled, only to be informed of an APU issue before departure.

The auxiliary power unit is critical for providing electricity and air conditioning while the aircraft is on the ground. Although the crew initially anticipated a brief delay to repair or replace the component, delays extended into the early morning hours.

By around 2:00 AM, after multiple gate changes and conflicting updates, Delta officially canceled the flight, citing a “food safety” concern. This decision left passengers frustrated, as many questioned why the flight couldn’t proceed without catering, particularly given the late hour and closed terminal amenities.

Why Catering Matters on Long-Haul Flights

Catering on transatlantic flights like MSP to AMS is not just about comfort—it’s a regulatory and safety requirement. Once meals are loaded onto an aircraft, they must be maintained under strict temperature conditions.

When a mechanical delay prevents the plane from departing, the onboard food can become unsafe for consumption after a certain period, often rendering it unusable.

Late-night operations complicate recovery. At hubs like Minneapolis, catering services may not run full-scale past midnight. With minimal staffing and limited access to replacement meals, Delta likely faced operational limits.

Furthermore, airline policy and contractual obligations require meal service not only for passengers but also for crew members, particularly on long-haul ETOPS flights where in-flight diversions are limited.

While passengers may have been willing to fly without meals, airlines must consider broader implications. Food and drink availability is essential for passengers with medical needs and is factored into flight planning. More critically, pilots and crew must be properly catered under FAA and union guidelines.

Delta’s decision also reflects network-wide implications. Launching a severely delayed international flight without catering could lead to crew timeouts, missed connections, and scheduling conflicts. With few overnight recovery options, pushing the flight might have caused a ripple effect across Delta’s operations. Canceling and rebooking may have been the only option to contain further disruptions.

Though Delta’s handling of the delay, including inconsistent communication and late cancellation, drew passenger ire, the decision reflects the complex logistics behind long-haul air travel. Airports like MSP, even as hubs, may not maintain full support services 24/7. Catering staff, aircraft technicians, and gate agents often work on staggered or reduced schedules overnight.

While passengers may interpret delays as poor management, behind-the-scenes limitations like expired catering, unavailable maintenance crews, or union rules can dictate outcomes. Transparency and clear communication could have mitigated frustrations, but the safety-first approach remains paramount in aviation operations.

Featured Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr

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MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A man died after he was shot during an altercation inside a vehicle on Thursday in Minneapolis. 

Columbus Avenue fatal shooting

What we know:

According to Minneapolis police, on May 15, just before 8:30 p.m., a vehicle drove up to an ambulance crew at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. A man with at least one life-threatening gunshot wound was inside the vehicle, who was then taken to Hennepin Healthcare. 

Police were able to locate the scene where the man was shot, on the 2700 block of Columbus Avenue. 

Authorities say that an altercation inside a vehicle led to the gunfire that injured, and ultimately killed, the man. 

The man’s wife drove him to the hospital. The man died the day after the shooting, on May 16. He was identified as 48-year-old Michael Ray Adkins. 

Police say the gunman fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. 

What we don’t know:

Police did not give any information on possible suspects. 

What led up to the altercation that led to the fatal shooting is currently unknown. 

What they’re saying:

“It’s incredibly frustrating to see yet another life lost to senseless violence,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “We don’t have all the answers yet as to what happened, but I can promise you that our investigators will work tirelessly to bring justice to this victim and his family.” 

What you can do:

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this shooting to email policetips@minneapolismn.gov or leave a voicemail at 612-673-5845. 

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Artists say Quincy Street is a special place with unique character and a charming vibe.

Cause for concern

What we know:

For Eddie Phillips, turning wood into furniture is a form of artistic expression, but he is worried a road reconstruction project could have a negative impact on the street his woodworking shop calls home.

“I think everybody wants the reconstruction to happen. It’s the how it’s going to happen,” said Philips, who owns Boom Island Woodworking.

From manufacturers to makers

The backstory:

The City of Minneapolis is planning to rebuild several streets in an industrial area of northeast called Logan Park. That includes several blocks of  Quincy Street, an uneven brick road, which is more than 100 years old.

But some of the artists who moved in after being displaced by development in the North Loop are concerned the project will get rid of the historic charm of the area and lay the groundwork for gentrification, which could force them to move again.

“Quincy has seen a lot of change in the last 15 years and I think there is a concern that we could be pushed out,” said Phillips.

City officials say the street doesn’t have proper drainage and many spots have missing sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, which make the area hard to navigate, especially for people with disabilities.

But some artists believe a lengthy construction project could make it hard to hold events like Art-A-Whirl for a couple of years and limit access to the buildings for both the artists and the general public.

“We want the city to engage with this as a partner and help preserve, establish, and foster the arts community,” said Jono Query, who owns the Q.arma Building on Quincy. 

No final plan yet

What they’re saying:

Ultimately, Phillips hopes the project lays the foundation for the heart of the arts district for the next 50 years.

“We need to be able to get deliveries, We need parking for our customers, but you know at the same time, we want the arts district to be accessible and walkable as well,” said Phillips.

The city is still gathering input from the public about Quincy Street and the other streets involved in this reconstruction project. 

That project is scheduled to begin in April of next year.