This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/413470-atlanta-airport-power-outage/

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Atlanta airport travel chaos as power outage hits world’s busiest hub Atlanta airport travel chaos as power outage hits world’s busiest hub
(about 3 hours later)
Travellers have been left stranded after a power cut grounded all flights at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.Travellers have been left stranded after a power cut grounded all flights at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs.
Staff at the airport are said to be working to restore power after the outage struck at around 1:15pm local time. All outgoing flights have been suspended by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) while incoming flights that have not already taken off are being held at their departure points. Staff at the airport are working with the Georgia Power utilities company to restore power after the outage struck at around 1:15pm local time. All outgoing flights have been suspended by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), while incoming flights that have not already taken off are being held at their departure points.
Utilities company Georgia Power confirmed that it is investigating the incident after some reports suggested that a construction crew cut a power line, causing the outage. A spokesman for the airport told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that officials still aren’t sure of the cause. Georgia Power confirmed that it is investigating the incident, which "may have involved a fire which caused extensive damage in an underground electrical facility." Earlier reports suggested that a construction crew cut a power line, causing the outage, which the airport has not confirmed.
“We have not determined what caused it,” the spokesman said. Atlanta fire officials and others are “trying to determine how long it will take to get everything up and running.” The company expects to fully restore power by midnight local time (5:00 am GMT). At about 7:30 pm local time, power was restored Concourse F, but passengers in other concourses were advised to stay where they were.
Passengers who landed at the time of the failure have reported being kept in their seats while waiting for the plane to reach their gates.Passengers who landed at the time of the failure have reported being kept in their seats while waiting for the plane to reach their gates.
Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection tweeted that it has enacted its “diversion plan”, meaning that all international inbound flights are being diverted to other airports. The US Customs and Border Protection enacted its “diversion plan”, diverting all international inbound flights to other airports.
The FAA has said that the power outage has not affected the radio tower, which can operate normally, but delays are owed to the airport equipment inside the terminals not functioning without power. More than 104 million travelers passed through Hartsfield-Jackson International last year, making it one of the world’s busiest for passenger travel, according to Airports Council International.The FAA has said that the power outage has not affected the radio tower, which can operate normally, but delays are owed to the airport equipment inside the terminals not functioning without power. More than 104 million travelers passed through Hartsfield-Jackson International last year, making it one of the world’s busiest for passenger travel, according to Airports Council International.
Pictures and video footage from the terminals show the extent of the power outage, with much of the terminals in near total darkness. Pictures and video footage from the terminals show the extent of the power outage, with much of the terminals in near total darkness. 
At least one passenger reported seeing smoke at Concourse D in the Atlanta hub. Speaking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Olivia Dorfman said she was about to board her flight home to Indiana when the power went out. Later she said the area near her gate filled with smoke. She and her fellow passengers were then hurried away by airport staff.At least one passenger reported seeing smoke at Concourse D in the Atlanta hub. Speaking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Olivia Dorfman said she was about to board her flight home to Indiana when the power went out. Later she said the area near her gate filled with smoke. She and her fellow passengers were then hurried away by airport staff.
Joshua Shilko, who is passing through the airport, said a long queue of planes has formed on the runway, with some aircraft “sitting there for three hours”.Joshua Shilko, who is passing through the airport, said a long queue of planes has formed on the runway, with some aircraft “sitting there for three hours”.
He told RT.com that emergency lights are being used to illuminate passenger waiting areas.He told RT.com that emergency lights are being used to illuminate passenger waiting areas.
Retailers have begun reportedly begun closing their outlets and sending their staff home due to the power failure, meaning people are unable to buy water and food. Meanwhile, some passengers are being told to prepare to depart their aircraft. Speaking to RT.com, passenger Elena Cristina Lazaro said: “A mechanic just came aboard and let us know we may have to manually exit the plane.” Retailers have reportedly begun closing their outlets and sending their staff home due to the power failure, meaning people are unable to buy water and food. Meanwhile, some passengers are being told to prepare to depart their aircraft. Speaking to RT.com, passenger Elena Cristina Lazaro said: “A mechanic just came aboard and let us know we may have to manually exit the plane.”