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 Tuesday morning, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The outage, which began around 6:30 a.m. ET, affected terminals, baggage systems, and security checkpoints, forcing airlines to cancel or delay dozens of flights.

DTW officials confirmed the outage was caused by an electrical equipment failure in a substation serving the airport. Emergency generators provided limited power, but critical systems remained offline for nearly three hours. By 9:15 a.m., power was mostly restored, though residual delays persisted throughout the day.

Major carriers including Delta, Spirit, and American Airlines reported cancellations impacting over 4,000 passengers. Social media posts showed long lines at ticket counters and frustrated travelers sleeping on terminal floors. The airport is the 16th busiest in the U.S., serving 32 million passengers annually.

The outage comes during peak spring break travel season, amplifying its impact. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the situation "unacceptable" and demanded a full review. DTW CEO Chad Newton apologized to travelers and promised compensation for affected customers.

This incident follows similar infrastructure failures at other major U.S. airports in recent months, raising concerns about aging aviation systems. The FAA has launched an investigation into Tuesday's outage at Detroit Metro, which remains operational but advises travelers to check flight statuses before arriving.