A headache-inducing closure caused by an electrical panel failure at JFK Airport in Queens continued into its second day on Friday, officials said, freezing flights into and out of a terminal that serves international travel.
New York’s largest airport said in a statement that the air traffic closure in Terminal 1 would last at least through Friday, but promised that officials were working to “restore flight operations as quickly as possible.”
Advertisement
Passengers sit with their luggage in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP)
On Thursday afternoon, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, said an electrical misfire had caused a small overnight fire and downed power across Terminal 1.
The chaos in the 11-gate terminal has upended travel plans for thousands of people, forced some incoming international flights to divert toward other destinations and caused dozens of delays and cancellations.
Advertisement
One flight from New Zealand to New York turned around in midair, returning back to Auckland in a 16-hour flight that went nowhere, according to Flightradar24, an air traffic tracker.
A man looks at departures information in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP)
Air New Zealand said that landing the plane at another American airport would have forced the aircraft to loiter on the ground for multiple days, hampering other scheduled flights. Customers on the flight into New York were rebooked, the airline said.
Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience and understanding,” Air New Zealand said in a statement.
But passengers remained in limbo in New York. JFK Airport tweeted Friday morning that it would “provide an update as soon as information is available,” but offered little insight to stranded travelers.
“Please continue to check with your air carrier for flight status,” urged the airport.
Passengers sit with their luggage in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP)
Terminal 1 serves international airlines including Air France, Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The four-story terminal opened in 1998, and has been due for a renovation — a planned restoration has been delayed by the pandemic.
Despite its rocky reputation and infamously sluggish security lines, Kennedy Airport sometimes fares better than LaGuardia Airport, in northern Queens, during inclement weather. LaGuardia, known for its short runways, is older and smaller than JFK.
During a windy storm cycle that blew through New York in November, 107 flight cancellations were reported at LaGuardia, compared with 13 at JFK.
Advertisement
With Peter Sblendorio
JFK Airport terminal closed for 2nd day after electrical fire
- Advertisment - 