Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Lines described as 'out the door' resulted at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport early Wednesday due to a power outage impacting airport operations.
NFTA officials tell WBEN the outage occurred at approximately 4 a.m. and the facility is on backup power and flights are being delayed.
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The airport departure and arrival boards were lit with DELAYED messages as passengers scurried for information and options from airline officials.
UPDATE: The outage caused some delays this morning, but around 9 a.m., things started to clear up gradually as full power was restored.
"We were experiencing some power difficulties starting last night around 11 p.m., but then it was it corrected itself. At about 3:30 a.m., we experienced a major power outage at the airport, one that lasted until just about right before nine o'clock this morning," said NFTA's Helen Tederous. "It did impact our airport operations, including flights. We were without internet, we were without full power. We did have backup power, so that was helpful. So at least we had lights, but for a while, it did impact our travelers."
From jet bridges to operating systems, Tederous says the airport needs power for everything. She describes the situation as a different experience from regular outages, as there was a challenger issue that disrupted power operations, but everything should be back to normal now, with the exception of a few minor delays.
"It takes a little while for systems to get up, particularly the airlines. It's getting better and better as the day goes on, but it may be it may affect flights for the remaining part of the morning and maybe for the day. So we're advising travelers to check in with their airlines just to be on the safe side."
