MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Travelers at Pittsburgh International Airport saw delays at the security checkpoint Friday morning after a power outage.
The power went out just after 4:30 a.m. and emergency lights kicked in, but it was a short time before electricity was fully restored.
During the outage, computers at the security checkpoint were affected and the Transportation Security Administration was unable to screen people.
“Well, you obviously wonder if there’s something else going on … terrorism, anything like that,” said traveler Tom Edwards, of Dallas, Texas.
A line of travelers quickly started to build, and delays continued even after the power came back.
To check on security wait times, CLICK HERE.
“I just thought, oh my gosh, we’re not going to get on the plane,” said Ariana Vesnesky, of Brackenridge, who was in line at the security checkpoint when the lights went off.
Pittsburgh International Airport released the following statement addressing the outage:
“Pittsburgh International Airport experienced a brief electrical outage shortly after 4:30 a.m. this morning. Emergency lights immediately activated and the outage lasted approximately 12 minutes. The outage occurred as crews were doing electrical testing overnight. The security checkpoint has since reopened. The outage has caused residual line delays. Passengers should leave extra time this morning to arrive for their flights.”
The planned electrical testing was related to the establishment of the airport’s own microgrid.
PIT experienced a brief electrical outage just after 4:30 a.m. due to electrical testing. Emergency lights activated. The outage lasted about 12 minutes and is causing some residual security line delays. Passengers should take extra time this morning to arrive for their flights.
— Pittsburgh International Airport (@PITairport) May 21, 2021
In addition to the delays caused by the power outage, American Airlines and JetBlue experienced a brief systemwide outage that impacted airports across the country.
>>STORY: Check-in system used by American Airlines, other carriers back online after outage
American Airlines said the issue originated with Sabre, which American and other carriers use to support reservations and ticketing systems. It led to five American Airlines flights being delayed at Pittsburgh International Airport.
UPDATE: TSA is moving people through the security checkpoint again after power went out at @PITairport around 4:30 this morning. Line at checkpoint bc TSA wasn’t screen people through for a span of about 25 minutes @WPXI pic.twitter.com/b1LFL4VnwT
— Alyssa Raymond (@AlyssaRaymond) May 21, 2021
BREAKING: @PITairport what’s going on?! Right in the middle of my live shot at 4:35, all the lights went out at the airport. They’re still not back on fully. Line building at the security check point. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/wApmftTaix
— Alyssa Raymond (@AlyssaRaymond) May 21, 2021
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