‘Send help’: Chaos, delays as Brisbane Airport hit with blackout, fog

Hundreds of passengers have been hit with delays after a blackout plunged Brisbane Airport into darkness as fog blankets the city.

The blackout began at about 5.20am on Tuesday after a fault with two substations in the domestic terminal caused the entire section of the airport to go dark, triggering delays.

However, the backup system was able to keep “general lighting” on.

Electricians were on site to begin repairs within about 15 minutes.

“Power was restored at 6.20am,” the spokesperson said.

“However, there were residual impacts for Qantas and Jetstar passengers as the backlog was cleared.”

Passengers have taken to social media to describe the chaos that unfolded as the domestic terminal went dark,with long lines of passengers waiting at the check-in and baggage claim.

Dense crowds filled the terminal as they were plunged into darkness, with some describing the scene as “eerie”.

“Blackout at Brisbane airport … coffee machines not working … send help,” one person wrote.

Another claimed “people are locked in the plane that have landed” as staff scrambled to work through the blackout.

One of those impacted was NRL personality Phil Gould, who said the fault caused “no lights, so no flights in or out”.

“Great start to a busy day,” he joked online.

“I wonder if they can take off when the sun comes up? Probably can’t because ticket machines couldn’t work.”

Heavy fog caused further delays on Tuesday morning, however this has also since cleared.

“Aircraft continued landing and taking off, however it decreased the speed of movement on the ground,” the spokesperson said.

“We thank the passengers for their patience this morning.”