Some flight delays are expected at Sydney Airport after the air traffic control tower was evacuated when smoke was detected in the facility.
The incident, which occurred at about 1140 local time on Friday, led to a full ground stop being put in place at the airport, with all arrivals and departures halted.
The Sydney Air Traffic Control Tower has been evacuated after smoke was detected. There is a full ground stop in place with no aircraft departing or arriving at this time @SydneyAirport. We will update you as soon as we know more. pic.twitter.com/Riw1l59tDP
— AirservicesAustralia (@AirservicesNews) March 29, 2019
At 1218 local time, air traffic control at Sydney Airport had begun processing arrivals and by 1237 firefighters had cleared staff to return to work, Airservices said on Twitter.
UPDATE: 12:37 – Firefighters have cleared staff to return to the Tower. We expect to be operational in the next 10 mins.
— AirservicesAustralia (@AirservicesNews) March 29, 2019
Airlines asked passengers to check the status of their flights.
Due to the Sydney Air Traffic Control tower being evacuated, there are currently no aircraft flying in and out of Sydney Airport. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. To check your flight status, click here: https://t.co/m479B0nZMc
— Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) March 29, 2019
Flights to and from Sydney have resumed. Some flights will be delayed as all airlines work to get back on schedule. We appreciate your patience. Please check Flight Status for more information: https://t.co/MmwZCYBxtU
— Qantas (@Qantas) March 29, 2019
Flights to and from Sydney Airport are delayed due to an evacuation in the Air Traffic Control Tower. We’ll provide updates as flights resume. Please check your flight status here https://t.co/Z2kL1oOc1s
— Jetstar Airways (@JetstarAirways) March 29, 2019
Fire and Rescue Superintendent Bryce Jonas told Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph there was a possible short circuit in a battery back-up system and a light smoke haze had set off the fire alarm.
