Power outages can have a major impact on airports and air travel. When the power goes out at an airport, even for just a few minutes, it can cause ripple effects that lead to delayed and canceled flights. In severe cases, extended power failures can force airports to temporarily shut down until electricity is restored.
So what exactly happens when the lights go out at an airport? Let’s take a closer look at how power outages affect airport operations and what precautions and backup systems are in place to keep things running as smoothly as possible when critical systems lose power.
How do power outages impact airport operations?
Airports are complex facilities that rely on vast networks of electrical systems. From lighting and ventilation to baggage handling and air traffic control, most airport functions depend on electricity. When an outage occurs, the most immediate effects are darkness in the terminals and loss of certain amenities like escalators, elevators, and digital signage.
More critically, power failures often lead to operational disruptions and flight delays. Here are some of the key ways that power outages impact airport operations:
Baggage handling
Conveyor systems to transport checked luggage between the terminal and aircraft are electric-powered. Without power, bags cannot be loaded and unloaded, leading to pileups and backups. Baggage service slows dramatically or grinds to a halt during an outage.
Jet bridges
Jet bridges, the moveable passenger loading ramps that connect the terminal to the plane door, normally operate on electric motors. Lack of power can make jet bridges inoperable, forcing passengers to walk outdoors across the apron or delay boarding.
Communications networks
Airports have extensive IT and telecom systems that are vulnerable to power disruption. Network and phone outages make it difficult for airlines, baggage crews, caterers, fuelers, and other operators to coordinate with each other and with air traffic control.
Airfield lighting
The runway, taxiway, and apron areas require bright lighting to maintain safety in low visibility conditions. Backup generators may power some airfield lights, but typically at reduced levels. Nighttime air traffic may need to be restricted in a blackout.
Navigation aids
Approach lighting systems and other visual navigation aids like PAPIs (precision approach path indicators) may lose power, forcing air traffic control to space arriving aircraft further apart and reduce landing rates.
Security screening
Checkpoint x-ray machines and metal detectors must be shut down for safety when their power source is interrupted. Alternative screening protocols are enacted, but generally result in much longer security lines and passenger delays.
Ventilation and climate control
Most airport terminals are not well-equipped to operate without climate control or mechanical ventilation. Prolonged outages on hot or cold weather days can create uncomfortable conditions for passengers.
Elevators and escalators
These key people-moving features within the terminals are inoperable without electricity, requiring passengers to use stairs and narrowing circulation flows. This creates accessibility issues for people with disabilities or mobility challenges.
| System | Impact of Power Loss |
|---|---|
| Baggage Handling | Delays in luggage loading / unloading |
| Jet Bridges | Boarding/deplaning delays |
| Communications | Disruptions in coordination between airport operators |
| Airfield Lighting | Reduced visibility, restrictions on night flights |
| Navigation Aids | Closer aircraft spacing required, reduced landing rates |
| Security Screening | Longer passenger queues and wait times |
| Ventilation | Passenger discomfort, potentially unsafe conditions |
| Elevators/Escalators | Reduced mobility through terminal, accessibility issues |
Backup power systems at airports
Because of the severe operational, safety, and economic impacts of power disruptions, most airports invest substantially in emergency power systems. Critical facilities and functions are supported by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators in the event of outages:
Generators
Diesel or natural gas-powered electrical generators can supply backup power to maintain minimal lighting, ventilation, and essential equipment operation. In many airport control towers, generators provide seamless, uninterrupted operation when grid power is lost. The number and capacity of generators vary based on the scale of the airport. Large hubs may have dozens of units.
Fuel storage enables days of runtime, with plans for refueling in place. Regular testing and maintenance is critical to ensure generators activate as intended when needed.
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
UPS systems provide immediate, continuous electricity for critical systems like navigation aids and communications infrastructure when grid power cuts off. They utilize banks of batteries that can sustain equipment for 15 minutes to an hour or longer, until generators come online. This prevents even momentary disruptions.
Power distribution
Airports have redundant paths for routing power from substations to essential operational systems. Multiple feeds provide electricity from independent grids or substations for redundancy. Automatic throwover switches detect outages and re-route power seamlessly.
Microgrids
Some major airport facilities are investing in microgrid technology. Microgrids contain their own power generation, storage, and distribution systems independent of the main utility grid. They allow airport operations to continue unimpeded during regional blackouts.
Equipment power conditioning
Power regulators, surge protectors, isolation transformers, and other conditioning equipment protects sensitive airport electronics like radar and instrument landing systems from damage in the event of power fluctuations.
| Backup System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Generators | Provide backup electricity to maintain essential services |
| Uninterruptible Power Supplies | Instantly supply power to most critical systems when grid power is lost |
| Power Distribution | Redundant feeds from multiple substations prevent single point failures |
| Microgrids | Self-contained power generation and distribution for independence from main grid |
| Power Conditioning | Protects sensitive electronic systems from damage |
Impacts of major blackouts on airports
When widespread regional power outages and blackouts hit major metropolitan areas, airports located in the affected zone can experience major disruptions. Even with backup systems, the sheer scale and duration of infrastructure failures during blackouts make it difficult to maintain full airport operations.
Here are some examples of major airport impacts during historical blackouts:
Northeast blackout of 2003
The massive power failure that struck the Northeast and Midwest U.S. and Ontario, Canada in 2003 disabled air travel across the region. Hundreds of flights were cancelled over two days at airports including Toronto Pearson, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, and LaGuardia and JFK in New York City. JetBlue Airways had to cancel all its flights systemwide due to reservation system failures.
1999 London blackout
A major power outage around Heathrow Airport outside London in 1999 occurred during the busy morning arrival push, forcing all takeoffs and landings to cease for several hours. Hundreds of passengers were stranded on grounded aircraft with no ventilation or lighting. Check-ins needed to be done manually. The airport was temporarily shut down and reopened the next morning.
2018 Amsterdam blackout
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam experienced a brief but significant power disruption in 2018 when a primary utility substation failed. Main lighting went down for an hour and backup systems came online. There were several dozen flight cancellations but overall minimal passenger impact.
2011 San Diego blackout
A widespread shutdown of San Diego in 2011 caused major issues at San Diego International Airport. Without working phones, inter-terminal transportation, and flight information systems, the airport was forced to close for seven hours and cancel 100 departures. Arriving flights were diverted.
2019 Buenos Aires blackout
When the electrical grid crashed across Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay in 2019, airports scrambled. At Buenos Aires’ two major hubs, accountability systems broke down without computers, stormy conditions limited runway usage, communications collapsed between the radar control center and the control tower, and airport gates couldn’t open without power, stranding passengers onboard aircraft. Hundreds of flights were cancelled.
2022 North Carolina blackout
In December 2022, a disastrous failure of two major transmission lines caused a blackout across much of North Carolina, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport. With backup power, minimal flight disruptions occurred. But baggage systems and checkpoint screening were impacted for hours until electricity was restored.
Preparing for and managing airport blackouts
When critical backup systems also start failing during prolonged, widespread power failures, airports may need to temporarily halt operations entirely. While extremely disruptive, this controlled shutdown is preferable to chaotic attempts at maintaining partial, unsafe airport functionality.
Careful emergency planning and procedures are essential to guide airports through major outages and blackout events:
– Activating the airport emergency operations center to centralize incident management
– Communicating status updates to airlines, aviation authorities, government agencies, and passengers
– Safely clearing runways,taxiways, and gates of aircraft and directing flights to divert before suspending airfield activity
– Providing mobile stair trucks to allow passengers to deplane from stranded aircraft without jet bridges
– Deploying portable battery-powered lighting units to maintain minimal visibility in terminals
– Setting up backup communications and alternatives to disabled digital systems
– Identifying priority systems and equipment to sustain based on available generator power
– Organizing food, water, and accommodations for passengers who become stranded at the airport
– Coordinating with local power utilities and monitoring grids for restoration to reopen faster
Careful forethought and emergency operations planning enables airports to maintain basic safety and order during even the most extensive power grid failures. While flight disruptions from blackouts are unavoidable, airports can minimize the impacts on stranded travelers through effective contingency response. With climate change increasing extreme weather risks to electrical infrastructure, developing robust backup systems and outage action plans is an essential investment in resilience.
Tips for travelers impacted by airport blackouts
As an air traveler, few things are more frustrating than having your flight disrupted by a power outage at the airport. While these incidents are mostly out of your control, there are some tips to better deal with airport blackouts when you get caught by surprise:
– Use a mobile boarding pass on your phone, which is accessible even when the airport’s Wi-Fi and systems are down.
– Build extra connection time into itineraries so you’re not as vulnerable to delays.
– Carry backup chargers and battery packs to keep devices charged when outlets are unavailable.
– Get travel insurance allowing flexibility to cancel or rebook if needed due to a major airport disruption.
– Pack food, medication, and other essential items in your carry-on in case you’re stranded for an extended period.
– Follow airport social media for real-time updates on outage impacts and timelines.
– Check your airline’s mobile app for rebooking options if flights are cancelled from a blackout.
– Avoid checking bags if a shutdown seems imminent so you don’t risk temporary separation from luggage.
– Confirm plans to get to/from the airport are still viable if traffic lights and transit systems lose power too.
– Pack patience and understanding – airports are doing their best to cope with a complex crisis.
While airport blackouts are still rare occurrences, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Following smart tips like these can give you peace of mind traveling in the age of climate change.
Conclusion
Power outages clearly have the potential to seriously disrupt airport and aircraft operations, especially as the scale and duration of the failure increase. But proper emergency planning, redundant backup systems, and effective procedural responses enable airport personnel to restore order and maintain safety even under extreme infrastructure failure scenarios.
With climate change anticipated to put increasing strains on aging electrical grids, developing robust solutions and operational resilience to potential blackouts will only grow in importance for ensuring continuity of air transportation. Air travelers frustrated by flight delays from airport power problems can take comfort knowing that these incidents are usually temporary setbacks and staff are working diligently to get people safely on their way again as quickly as possible.
