Thunderstorm Caused Power Outage at LAX, 4 Flights Diverted to Ontario

LOS ANGELES, CA - A thunderstorm Monday triggered a power outage at Los Angeles International Airport that led air traffic controllers to divert five arriving flights -- four to Ontario and one to San Diego.

The problem was reported about 6:05 a.m., according to Nancy Castles of Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates the airport.

"A significant thunderstorm cell rolled over LAX resulting in an airport-wide power outage," Castles said. "Back-up generators came on."

Airport employees conducted a building-by-building assessment, and normal power was restored in some areas, while generators remained operational in others. By about 7:35 a.m., power had been restored to all facilities except parking structures 2A and 2B. Power was restored to those structures by 10:30 a.m.

According to an LAWA report issued early this afternoon: between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., there were 64 arrival delays and two arrival cancellations; and there were 64 departure delays and four departure cancellations.

Of the four flights diverted to Ontario International Airport, three were domestic flights that later arrived at LAX; and the passengers on the fourth plane -- an international flight -- were transported to LAX on buses. The flight that was diverted to San Diego later arrived at LAX.

Due to the outage, a handful of international airlines at the Tom Bradley International Terminal reported they were unable to process passengers using ticketing counter computers and self-service kiosks and had to do manual check-ins. By 1:30 p.m., operations had returned to normal.

Castles said there were "no reports of significant damage to any facility at LAX" due to the storm.

She said a "beacon tower" -- an alternating light that functions similarly to a lighthouse -- was knocked out of operation due to the power outage.

"However, this is considered 'old technology' and airlines at LAX operate using Instrument Landing System -- ILS technology," Castles said.

FedEx reported that its hangar, cargo facilities and offices on the west side of the airport experienced some roof shingles blown loose during this morning's heavy winds.

As of 1:30 p.m., wind conditions at LAX were reported at about 35 mph. The winds were coming directly from the west, and were not expected to impact flight operations.

Passengers were advised to check with their airlines on flight status before coming to the airport.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock