Ruth Haines
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, has experienced several power outages and equipment failures in recent years, causing significant disruptions to airport operations and impacting thousands of travellers. In December 2017, a fire in an underground electrical facility triggered an extensive power outage that lasted nearly 11 hours, resulting in the cancellation of over 1,500 flights. Another incident in May 2025, involving runway equipment issues, led to the delay of more than 200 flights. These events highlight the challenges faced by ageing infrastructure in US airports and the need for enhanced electrical resilience to minimise future disruptions and their impact on passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17th December 2017 |
| Duration | 11 hours |
| Affected area | Between gates B24 and B36 |
| Cause | Fire in an underground electrical facility |
| Impact | 1,593 flights cancelled, 735 delayed |
| Recovery | Power restored by 18th December 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
A fire in an underground electrical facility
On December 17, 2017, a fire broke out in an underground electrical facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing a power outage that lasted nearly 11 hours. The fire not only destroyed the facility's main power supply but also affected the redundant system, shutting down power to the entire airport. This resulted in the cancellation of about 1,593 flights and delays for 735 others.
The fire caused heavy damage to the electrical infrastructure, and an investigation into the cause of the fire was conducted. Officials with Georgia Power suspected that a switch gear failure might have caused the blaze. The fire also impacted areas housing circuit cables and switching mechanisms, which caused the backup power systems to fail as well.
The power outage had a significant impact on airport operations and highlighted the aging infrastructure of US airports and the need for modernization. It also led to discussions about improving the design of airports to make them more resilient to power disruptions.
In the aftermath of the incident, airport officials worked to restore power and normal flight operations. Delta Airlines, for instance, cancelled more than 300 flights for the following morning, expecting operations to return to normal by the afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a warning about limited commercial operations for the day after the outage.
This incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was not an isolated event, as other airports in the nation have experienced similar power outages. Airports are now taking steps to enhance their electrical resilience by conducting infrastructure assessments, improving electrical infrastructure, and installing backup power generation systems to prevent and better manage future disruptions.
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Backup power systems failed
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experienced a power outage on the evening of Sunday, December 17, 2017, which lasted for about 11 hours. The power outage was caused by a fire in an underground electrical facility that damaged the airport's main power supply. The fire then hit the redundant system, causing a shutdown. As a result, 735 flights were delayed, and 1593 were canceled over two days.
Systems that were meant to provide backup power also failed. Georgia Power officials stated that the circuit cables and switching mechanisms responsible for the backup power were located in an area adjacent to the fire and were also damaged. This resulted in a complete power shutdown at the airport.
The power outage significantly disrupted the airport's operations, causing massive delays and cancellations. It also highlighted the aging infrastructure of US airports and the need for modernization to prevent similar incidents in the future.
To enhance electrical resilience and minimize future disruptions, airports are taking several actions. These include conducting electrical infrastructure assessments, improving electrical infrastructure, and installing equipment to generate additional backup power, such as microgrids.
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Drilling into a power line
On 17 December 2017, a fire in an underground electrical facility caused a power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, affecting gates B24 to B36. The fire damaged the circuit cables and switching mechanisms, causing the backup power systems to fail as well. This resulted in the cancellation of over 1,500 flights and delays for hundreds more.
While the specific cause of the fire was not determined, officials with Georgia Power suspected that it may have been caused by a switch gear failure. The power outage highlighted the aging infrastructure of American airports and the need for modernization to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a more recent incident on 11 May 2025, a ground stop was ordered at the same airport due to an equipment outage. This led to delays and disruptions for hundreds of flights. While the specific cause of the equipment outage was not mentioned, it was referred to as a "runway equipment issue."
In both cases, the power outage and equipment outage caused significant disruptions to airport operations, affecting thousands of passengers. While the 2017 outage lasted for nearly 11 hours, the 2025 outage was shorter, with the ground stop lifted before 12:30 p.m. on the same day.
To enhance electrical resilience and minimize future disruptions, airports are taking various actions. These include conducting electrical infrastructure assessments, improving electrical infrastructure, and installing backup power generation systems, such as microgrids. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also offering grant programs to support airports' electrical resilience efforts.
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Ageing airport infrastructure
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, has experienced several disruptions due to equipment and power outages. In one notable incident on December 17, 2017, a fire broke out underground, damaging the main power supply and the redundant system, resulting in an 11-hour power outage. This caused significant disruptions, with over 1,500 flights cancelled and thousands of travellers stranded.
This event brought attention to the ageing infrastructure of not just Atlanta airport but also other airports across the United States. Experts highlighted the need for modernization and improved design to prevent such incidents from occurring frequently and causing massive inconvenience to travellers.
Indeed, ageing airport infrastructure is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and long-term solutions. Airports are complex structures with intricate systems, and as they age, the likelihood of equipment failures and power disruptions increases. The impact of such failures can be significant, affecting not just the airport's operations but also the safety and experience of travellers.
To enhance electrical resilience, some airports have taken proactive measures. These include conducting electrical infrastructure assessments, initiating projects to upgrade electrical infrastructure, and installing backup power generation equipment. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been supportive by offering new and expanded grant programs to fund these improvements.
By investing in infrastructure upgrades, implementing modern technologies, and adopting innovative design approaches, airports can improve their resilience to power disruptions. This includes exploring options such as backup generators, solar panels, and microgrids, which can enhance power supply reliability and ensure a swift recovery from unexpected outages.
Addressing the challenges posed by ageing airport infrastructure is crucial to maintaining safe and efficient airport operations, minimizing disruptions, and ensuring a positive travel experience for passengers.
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Staffing issues and construction
While the Atlanta airport power outage in 2017 was caused by a fire in an underground electrical facility, other airports have experienced disruptions due to staffing issues and construction.
Air traffic controller staffing shortages and construction work have been blamed for causing massive delays at New Jersey's Newark Airport. An air traffic controller at Newark Airport told NBC's Tom Costello:
> "It's not a safe situation for the flying public! Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs."
During a blackout on Friday, air traffic controllers told a FedEx cargo plane that their radar screens were offline and asked the pilots to put pressure on their company to help fix the problems.
In addition to staffing and construction issues, airports are also vulnerable to power disruptions due to ageing infrastructure. A power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2017, which cancelled more than 1,500 flights, highlighted the need for modernisation and better electrical resilience at airports.
To enhance electrical resilience, airports have taken several actions, including conducting electrical infrastructure assessments, improving electrical infrastructure, and installing equipment to generate additional backup power. For example, some airports have installed microgrids, which can independently generate, distribute, and store power.
By investing in infrastructure projects and taking advantage of grant programs offered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airports can improve their electrical resilience and minimise the impact of power disruptions.
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Frequently asked questions
A fire broke out beneath Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and burned through the facility's main power supply. The fire then hit the redundant system, causing a power outage that lasted nearly 11 hours.
Yes, the power outage led to the cancellation of more than 1,500 flights.
Yes, there were still hundreds of flight cancellations even after power was restored.
Yes, there was a brief power outage in 2023 when an airline contractor drilled into a power line.
Airports can improve their electrical infrastructure by installing backup generators, solar panels, or microgrids.
