Daijiworld Media Network - Atlanta

Atlanta, Aug 9: Passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight bound for Orlando were evacuated using emergency slides after the aircraft made an emergency landing on a taxiway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday morning.

Delta Flight 2204, carrying around 200 passengers and six crew members, reported smoke or fumes in the flight deck and declared an emergency. The aircraft took off from Atlanta shortly before 7.30 am before turning back and landing safely at the airport at around 8 am.

Delta said evacuation slides were deployed and passengers and crew members left the aircraft on the taxiway before being transported to the terminal by bus.

"The flight crew followed procedures to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after reports of fumes in the flight deck. A slide evacuation occurred on a taxiway, and customers are being reaccommodated on a new aircraft. Safety is paramount at Delta, and we apologise to our customers for their experience," a Delta spokesperson said.

Passengers are being rebooked on flights to Orlando, while the aircraft has been taken for a maintenance review, the airline said.

One crew member and one passenger sought medical attention following the incident, Delta said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the aircraft landed safely at around 8 am and that it would investigate the incident.

A video posted on TikTok showed passengers evacuating the aircraft using inflatable emergency slides on the airport taxiway. At least three slides could be seen deployed from the aircraft, while dozens of passengers carrying their belongings stood along the taxiway.

"Just experienced one of my worst fears ever!" the video was captioned.