TAMPA, Fla. -- The power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has caused major flight delays and cancellations at Tampa International Airport.
A number of travelers said they waited in line for hours Sunday, only to find out their flights had been delayed several hours or even days.
“I can understand one delay, but we’re talking Tuesday, maybe, and we’re still not all going to be on a plane together,” said airline passenger Chara Reeves.
Reeves’ family vacation in Belize ended in frustration as their flight home to Ohio through Atlanta is delayed by days. They learned about the power outage in mid-air.
“The pilot comes across he says 'I have some interesting news to share. There’s an outage at the Atlanta airport'," Reeves said. "We didn’t know it was going to be this huge.”
Georgia Power said a fire caused damage underground. Airline passengers were left in the dark in parts of the Atlanta airport. Some reported seeing smoke before they were evacuated.
In Tampa, some travelers planned to spend the night at the airport.
“They won’t let me re-check my bags, so I can’t get back into the terminal," said airline passenger Tylere Perron. "I’m stuck here at baggage check I guess until 4 o’clock (Monday) morning.”
Perron was re-booked for a 6:00 a.m. flight on Monday. His flight was originally set to depart Tampa on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Some people headed to Atlanta as their final destination ditched trying to reschedule their flights.
“Yeah, I’m going to drive, you know," Rick Maldonado said, otherwise I’ll sit here for a day and a half or whatever and wait.”
Positive attitudes were not lost at the start of the holiday travel season.
“Merry Christmas, everybody," Perron said. "I guess this is part of it you know. Everybody have fun (and) be patient with each other.”
Georgia Power said in a tweet power was restored to the Atlanta airport late Sunday night.
