A check-in counter for Air France, KLM, and Delta at Terminal 1
Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City is gradually reopening after power was restored Saturday afternoon.
The reopening followed a “power disruption” that resulted in flight delays and cancellations that reverberated across the globe.
“Safety and security systems are fully functional and other building systems are being tested and brought back online,” the airline said in a statement.
The closure forced one of the longest commercial flights in the world to make turn over the Pacific Ocean andreturn to its departure airport. Air New Zealand Flight 2 landed back in Auckland 16 hours after departing from that very airport.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, said that “an electrical panel failure, which also caused a small isolated fire overnight that was immediately extinguished,” triggered the power problemon Thursday.
There were 64 arrivals and departures that were originally scheduled for Terminal 1 on Saturday, the airport said. Of those, 26 flights operated or will operate from Terminal 1, while 18 flights will be processed at other terminals at the airport.
Another eight flights were transferred to Newark Liberty International Airport, while ten flights were canceled, the airport said. In addition, two flights were moved to New York Stewart International Airport, which is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of JFK.
The airport said that flight schedules at Terminal 1 will operate on a regular basis on Sunday.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
