If you were planning to jet off from the airport, you might have found yourself in a bit of a pickle—one that involved not just a power blackout but also a thick blanket of fog!

It’s the kind of double whammy that can turn a routine trip to the airport into a test of patience and resilience.

Early risers hoping to catch their flights were met with an unexpected challenge when a sudden blackout plunged parts of Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal into darkness.

'The issue arose at 5:20 am, with Brisbane Airport electricians onsite within 15 minutes.' a spokesperson said.

Within 15 minutes, the airport’s trusty electricians were on the scene, working hard to restore power and get things back on track.

Check-in, baggage sorting, and aircraft loading were delayed by a blackout at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday morning, with Qantas and Jetstar flights most affected. Credit: Facebook

'Power was restored at 6:20 am. However, there were residual impacts for Qantas and Jetstar passengers as the backlog was cleared.' the spokesperson continued.

The blackout had already caused a backlog, particularly for Qantas and Jetstar passengers.

Check-in counters, baggage sorting, and aircraft loading were all affected, leading to long lines and plenty of confusion.

Some travellers reported a lack of information from airport staff, which only added to their frustration as they waited for updates.

As if a blackout wasn’t enough, Mother Nature decided to join the party by rolling in a heavy fog over the airport.

While planes were still able to land and take off, the fog slowed down ground operations, making it even trickier for staff to clear the backlog and get everyone on their way.

Thankfully, the fog eventually lifted, but not before causing further delays and a few frayed nerves.

The morning’s events directly impacted at least four flights, but the ripple effect meant that many more passengers experienced delays.

For those stuck in queues, the lack of clear communication was a sore point.

It’s a reminder that, even in our high-tech age, a simple power outage and a bit of bad weather can still throw a spanner in the works.

A spokesperson for Brisbane Airport was quick to thank passengers for their patience, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the blackout and the fog.

They assured travellers that power had been fully restored and that staff were working hard to clear the backlog and get everyone on their way as quickly as possible.

If you ever find yourself caught in airport chaos, a few simple steps can make the experience more manageable.

Stay informed by checking your airline’s app or website, as updates often appear there first.

Pack snacks and water to get through long waits more comfortably.

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Show patience and politeness—airport staff usually work under tough conditions, and kindness can help everyone.

Lastly, know your rights, as significant delays or cancellations might entitle you to compensation or support from the airline.

Events like this morning’s blackout and fog at Brisbane Airport are a timely reminder that travel plans can change in an instant.

Whether it’s a technical glitch or a bout of bad weather, it pays to be prepared for the unexpected.

Key Takeaways

• A blackout at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday morning caused delays to check-in, baggage sorting, and the loading of some aircraft, particularly impacting Qantas and Jetstar flights.
• The airport lost power at 5:20 am due to an issue with two substations, with electricians restoring power within an hour, but delays continued as backlogs were cleared.
• Heavy fog further disrupted airport operations, slowing the movement of aircraft on the ground, although planes continued to land and take off.
• Some affected passengers reported a lack of information from staff while waiting in long queues, although airport authorities have thanked travellers for their patience.

Have you ever been caught up in airport chaos like this? How did you handle it? Share your stories and tips in the comments below—your experience might just help a fellow member of the Seniors Discount Club the next time travel plans go awry! Safe travels, everyone!

 

[Zemo]

" ... a thick blamket of fog ... " followed by a screamer.
Who'd have thunk it? Now, THAT is an extremely rare event, well worthy of a puff story.
What next? A traffic jam in a CBD somewhere?

 

[Gunpark]

Just wait until we rely totally on renewables.

 

[Clancieblue]

They were hardly stranded. they had access to food ,drink and shelter. A bit dramatic.

 

[DLHM]

It may not have been a rare event or earth shattering news, but would have been important to those who were inconvenienced and possibly those people to greet them/pick them up at the end of the expected flight.

 

[natalielocket]

It may not have been a rare event or earth shattering news, but would have been important to those who were inconvenienced and possibly those people to greet them/pick them up at the end of the expected flight.

With mobile phones, one can then message and explain the delay. It happens often, and unfortunately if one is late with a domestic flight, and expecting to be there for an international flight, its a problem. When doing both, I book into accommodation in Brisbane for the night, so don`t have the stress etc. Especially when flying out of Mackay. As if trouble with the aircraft, they have to fly someone up from Brisbane, to deal with. No mechanical assistant in many small airports.