Delta flight grounded shortly after takeoff from Atlanta airport

A Delta Air Lines flight that was traveling Wednesday morning from Atlanta to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, returned to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport “shortly after takeoff after a performance issue was observed with one of the two engines on the Boeing MD-88.”

According to an emailed statement from Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant, “the aircraft taxied to a gate where technicians will examine the aircraft and the engine.”

Delta issued an apology to the 126 customers who were affected by the delay. They were being boarded on another aircraft to continue the flight to Turks and Caicos.

“Safety,” Durrant said, “is always Delta’s top priority.”