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Atlanta chaos: Hundreds of flights cancelled as world's busiest airport suffers blackout Atlanta chaos: Hundreds of flights cancelled as world's busiest airport suffers blackout
(35 minutes later)
A sudden power outage brought the world’s busiest airport to a standstill on Sunday, cancelling hundreds of flights in the US just days before the start of the Christmas travel rush.A sudden power outage brought the world’s busiest airport to a standstill on Sunday, cancelling hundreds of flights in the US just days before the start of the Christmas travel rush.
Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta were left in the dark when the lights suddenly went out at about 1pm. All outgoing flights were halted, and arriving planes were held at point of departure. International flights were being diverted, officials said.Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta were left in the dark when the lights suddenly went out at about 1pm. All outgoing flights were halted, and arriving planes were held at point of departure. International flights were being diverted, officials said.
The airport said a fire had caused “extensive damage” to the complex’s electrical systems. Fire crews doused the flames and repair crews from Georgia Power were now on the scene. The cause of the outage is unknown.The airport said a fire had caused “extensive damage” to the complex’s electrical systems. Fire crews doused the flames and repair crews from Georgia Power were now on the scene. The cause of the outage is unknown.
Georgia Power said such outages were “very rare” and it aimed to have power restored by midnight.Georgia Power said such outages were “very rare” and it aimed to have power restored by midnight.
Total and abject failure here at ATL Airport today. I am stuck on @delta flight, passengers and crew tolerating it. But there is no excuse for lack of workable redundant power source. NONE! #atlairport #delta
Delta Air Lines, which has its headquarters at the airport, said more than 450 mainline and regional flights were cancelled. The airline encouraged passengers to check on the status of flights online before heading to the airport.Delta Air Lines, which has its headquarters at the airport, said more than 450 mainline and regional flights were cancelled. The airline encouraged passengers to check on the status of flights online before heading to the airport.
At Southwest Airlines, about 70 Atlanta departures out of 120 scheduled for Sunday were cancelled, an airline spokesman said in an email.At Southwest Airlines, about 70 Atlanta departures out of 120 scheduled for Sunday were cancelled, an airline spokesman said in an email.
Airport spokesman Reese McCranie said some emergency power was later restored, but much of the huge facility was still without electricity.Airport spokesman Reese McCranie said some emergency power was later restored, but much of the huge facility was still without electricity.
Pilot, just now: "I still think we're quite a ways from getting deplaned... I certainly thought it'd be taken care of by now... not really sure how long it's gonna take for us to get there." Still no food/water. Toilets have been dumped so won't overflow. We passed 6-hour mark.
Delta passenger Emilia Duca, 32, was on her way to Wisconsin from Bogotá, Colombia, when she got stuck in Atlanta. She said police made passengers who were in the baggage-claim area move to a higher floor. She said restaurants and shops were closed. “A lot of people are arriving, and no one is going out. No one is saying anything official. We are stuck here,” she said. “It’s a nightmare.”Delta passenger Emilia Duca, 32, was on her way to Wisconsin from Bogotá, Colombia, when she got stuck in Atlanta. She said police made passengers who were in the baggage-claim area move to a higher floor. She said restaurants and shops were closed. “A lot of people are arriving, and no one is going out. No one is saying anything official. We are stuck here,” she said. “It’s a nightmare.”
Mozell Smith, 68, of Atlanta arrived at the airport hours after the electricity went off. He was headed to Las Vegas with a sister and a friend. “This is terrible. I wish someone would’ve given us a heads-up before we got to the airport,” he said. “I wish there would have been better communication.”Mozell Smith, 68, of Atlanta arrived at the airport hours after the electricity went off. He was headed to Las Vegas with a sister and a friend. “This is terrible. I wish someone would’ve given us a heads-up before we got to the airport,” he said. “I wish there would have been better communication.”
American Airlines reported only a handful of diversions and cancellations because the carrier does not use Atlanta as a hub, airline spokeswoman Alexis Aran Coello.American Airlines reported only a handful of diversions and cancellations because the carrier does not use Atlanta as a hub, airline spokeswoman Alexis Aran Coello.
Hartsfield-Jackson, which serves 104 million passengers a year, is the world’s busiest airport, a distinction it has held since 1998. The airport serves an average of 275,000 passengers daily, according to its website. Nearly 2,500 planes arrive and depart each day.Hartsfield-Jackson, which serves 104 million passengers a year, is the world’s busiest airport, a distinction it has held since 1998. The airport serves an average of 275,000 passengers daily, according to its website. Nearly 2,500 planes arrive and depart each day.