A power outage at Stansted Airport caused chaotic scenes as holidaymakers were left stranded and flights were grounded. The incident also led to a disruption in the fully automated people mover system between terminals, with passengers stuck on the train for almost an hour.
Desperate for information, stranded passengers, including young children, criticized the loss of emergency phone lines. Johnny Shipley, one of the affected holidaymakers, described the experience as frustrating, stressful, and disconcerting. He highlighted the scary situation of the emergency phone in the driverless shuttle not functioning properly.
Zini Dishi, a father-of-two who was heading to Albania, recounted how people were running everywhere and there was a lack of staff to provide directions. He expressed his disbelief that a major airport like Stansted did not have a backup plan for such situations.
Passengers were left stranded at Bishop’s Stortford station, with replacement taxis offering expensive quotes for their journey to central London. Greater Anglia, the transport company, attempted to find replacement buses to assist with onward journeys. The company later discovered a burnt switch in an electrical room, causing the power outage.
Stansted Airport issued a statement advising passengers to check with their airlines for the status of their flights. They emphasized that safety was their top priority and apologized for any inconvenience caused.
This incident at Stansted Airport highlights the vulnerability of automated systems in emergency situations and the need for effective communication methods to keep passengers informed. It also raises questions about the preparedness of airports to handle such disruptions.
Definitions:
Power outage: A period of time when there is no supply of electricity
Fully automated people mover system: A transportation system that moves people between locations without the need for human input
Emergency phone lines: Phone lines specifically designated for emergency situations
Backup plan: An alternative course of action to be followed in the event of the primary plan failing
Sources:
1. No URL available
2. No URL available