Detroit Metro Airport Faces Major Delays After Power Outage

Detroit Metro Airport Faces Major Delays After Power Outage...

A widespread power outage at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) caused significant flight disruptions Monday morning, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The outage, which began around 6:30 a.m. ET, affected terminal operations, security screening, and baggage systems, prompting airlines to issue waivers for rebooking.

DTW, a major hub for Delta Air Lines, ranks among the busiest airports in the U.S. with over 1,200 daily flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for incoming flights until 9:15 a.m., while outgoing flights faced delays averaging two hours. Airport officials attributed the outage to an "electrical infrastructure failure" but provided no estimated restoration time.

Passengers reported chaotic scenes at McNamara Terminal, where emergency lighting remained the only power source. TSA checkpoints temporarily halted operations, creating long lines. Delta advised travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, while American and United also reported cancellations.

The outage comes during peak spring break travel, compounding frustrations for families. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the disruption, stating her office is "monitoring the situation closely." DTW last experienced a major outage in 2019 when a transformer failure caused similar delays.

As of 11 a.m. ET, power had been partially restored, but full operations had not resumed. The airport urged patience as crews worked to resolve the issue. This incident highlights growing concerns about aging infrastructure at U.S. airports, with DTW's electrical systems last upgraded in 2018.

Travelers are advised to contact their airlines directly for rebooking options. The airport expects residual delays throughout Monday afternoon as it works to clear the backlog of affected flights.