Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) experienced a power outage on Wednesday that lasted up to three hours, according to Austin-based media outlets’ reports.
The airport’s Twitter account posted that the electricity went out at the Barbara Jordan Terminal just before 5 a.m., keeping travelers abreast of the situation throughout the morning.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that while the blackout didn’t prompt evacuations, flights were grounded as crews worked to restore power.
A traveler told KVUE that the mood at AUS was “surprisingly chill” during the ordeal.
“People aren’t tripping too much, but it was totally a strange thing,” he said, the station reported.
The passenger, who was headed to New York City, added that the power would return but only in increments, KVUE reported.
Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported that the airport employed backup generators before 7 a.m. and the screening of passengers began nearly an hour later.
AUS had advised travelers who weren’t at the airport yet to check with their airlines for any delays or cancellations.
The airport tweeted that adjacent roadways were temporarily closed as Austin Energy technicians worked.
Austin Energy’s Twitter account said that malfunctioning underground equipment caused the outage.
According to the airport, operations completely returned to normal around 10:30 a.m.
Austin CBS affiliate KEYE reported that U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released a statement calling the incident “truly intolerable.”
“With soaring demand, our airport faces many challenges. Following its thorough investigation, Austin Energy must act to ensure a fully functional backup system so that this never reoccurs,” Doggett said in the statement.
