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Several flights were delayed or canceled after a power outage at Los Angeles International Airport left travelers at three terminals without power Wednesday night, authorities said.
All terminals at the airport experienced a brief outage and then relayed out to the backup system, according to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokeswoman Jessica Johnson, who called the outage “unusual.”
Terminals 1, 7 and 8 were still without power for several hours, even after the backup system was triggered, LAX officials said. The Federal Aviation Administration initially said only 7 and 8 were affected.
Power had been restored to all terminals by 10:05 p.m., according to LAX. The outage was first reported at about 6:30 p.m.
All outbound Southwest Airlines flights were canceled for the night as a result of the power disruption, LAX said. It is unclear how many flights were affected.
Two United Airlines flights were canceled and 19 were delayed, according to the airline.
A Southwest Airlines passenger tweeted a photo of passengers being ushered from a plane onto portable staircases after all jet bridges in the affected terminals stopped working during the outage, a spokesman said.
Other passengers were stuck in planes on the tarmac.
During a conference call with news media, one LAX employee reported that passengers were getting scared because it was getting darker in the terminals.
The emergency lighting was operational, but some parts of the airport were still in the dark, an LAX official said during the call. The lights are sufficient for finding one’s way around the terminals, but they’re limited and not as strong as usual, the official said.
A passenger posted video showing some people covering their ears as a loud beeping sound went off at the airport. He said it was happening at Terminal 8 and that it had gone on for at least 10 minutes.
The outage also slowed down traffic outside the airport after power was cut off from the traffic signals.
LAX officials said the backup stretched to Lincoln Boulevard, into Avion Drive and just beyond the 105 Freeway as of 10:40 p.m., right after power was restored in the area.
American Airlines flights were not affected, a spokesman said.
“Check your flight status with your airline as delays are possible,” LAX said.
LAX officials reported “no significant crowd control issues” and that passengers appeared to be “relatively calm.”
LAX UPDATE: Due to an ongoing power disruption in Terminals 1, 7 and 8, several flights have been delayed, diverted or cancelled. Please check with your airline for updates if you have a flight scheduled to leave or arrive at #LAX this evening. #LAXalert
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) June 6, 2019
UPDATE: Power has been restored to most terminals and systems, however power remains disrupted in Terminals 1, 7 and 8. We have crews on the scene working to restore power fully. Check your flight status with your airline as delays are possible. Additional updates to come.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) June 6, 2019
#lax power outage. Hey bridges not operating. Exiting old school. pic.twitter.com/rWVtAVQmXF
— Joshua Marrow (@joshuamarrow) June 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/pseudonymbutler/status/1136474553444515840Unbelievable, no electricity at LAX. pic.twitter.com/LakLrZ5lM8
— EDGAR E BARRERA (@edgar7091) June 6, 2019
