Main Terminal 1 New York Airport handles about 5 percent of all scheduled passenger flights, including Air France, China Eastern, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Swiss.
Problems at one of the busiest airports in the US began on February 16. At first, no one could have imagined that as a result of the failure of the electrical panel, the entire terminal would remain cut off from life for several days.
The failure not only led to a power outage, but also caused a “small fire that was immediately extinguished,” — the airport said in a statement released immediately after the incident. “Kennedy Airport Terminal 1 will remain closed on Feb. 17 due to power problems, the administration continues to work with the terminal operator to restore flights as quickly as possible. Travelers should check with their carriers for flight status before arriving at the airport.
Due to Terminal 1's inability to handle incoming and outgoing flights, some aircraft have been diverted to other terminals at Kennedy Airport. Others have changed routes and landed at airports along the East Coast. About 40 Friday flights were cancelled.
Among them, a Korean Air flight from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) and an ITA Airways flight from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) — both of them were in the air for several hours.
However, the most unfortunate were the Air New Zealand passengers who flew from Auckland Airport (AKL) to JFK.
They covered a decent distance across the Pacific Ocean before their plane was turned around and sent “home” to Auckland. Ultimately, they spent in flight “to nowhere” 4 p.m.
On Saturday, only a limited number of flights were accepted, and full service in Terminal 1 resumed only on Sunday.