Power Outage At JFK Airport Causes Significant Disruptions Amid Growing Flight Safety Concerns
A recent power outage at JFK airport in NY sparked a small electrical fire that caused incoming and outgoing flights to stop.
Traveling this year has been challenging at best. With issues from canceled flights, a power outage, lost luggage, and now lawsuits, the airlines have had to straighten up and fly right. However, they have had a lot to prove in a short amount of time.
Although there are amazing, friendly locations to travel to and some of the popular places seem very attainable. But, no matter how alluring the deal may be, it may be better to wait and see and give the airlines more time to get their business together.
According to NPR, flights were disrupted on Thursday due to an electrical outage at JFK Airport in New York. As we know, and have experienced this year, small challenges like delays and electric outages can cause a domino effect at other airports across the nation. Terminal 1 had an outage that was caused by an electrical panel failure. This then caused a small fire overnight. Luckily the fire was immediately put out. However, the terminal ramp was closed until Friday, said the Federal Aviation Administration.
The airline business has had to work hard to rebound on the heels of a recent pilot’s strike. The strikes make flying extremely dangerous as a lack of pilots equates to longer hours for those who are not striking. In addition, pilots that do not have prior knowledge of unassigned airports will have to navigate unknown areas.
In the case of the JFK fire and subsequent power outage, flights could no longer enter, nor leave the terminal. Many flights had to be diverted to other East Coast airports. One flight from New Zealand had to turn around and return to the island. A fire that was immediately extinguished caused huge shutdowns. Many airlines have had to give back to the consumers that lost money and time on some flights.
In addition, lawmakers are trying to get more protections for consumers who have been inconvenienced by airlines. New legislation will do two things: 1) help speed up a lengthy refund process and 2) put a cap on the fees that airlines can charge after a customer has had to endure an issue that has inconvenienced them.
In the past, flying was a fun adventure that folks would look forward to and see as part of their actual vacation, especially at a place like JFK Airport. It was a time to relax and enjoy some time above the Earth. But these days, flying has become an absolute nightmare. Between security lines, canceled flights, and lost luggage–not to mention wasted money and time, flying with an airline has become something to dread. Experts have been warned to expect the least and prepare for the worst.
It comes down to the fact that antiquated processes and failing technology will continue to put customers in dicey situations. They cannot handle the growth so they are continually behind. Airfares are continually rising and consumers are going to come to a point where they will no longer put up with it. Consumers are in control and will continue to hold airlines accountable.
