15/06/2017 Blackout at Brussels Airport

[luchtzak]

Dedicated topic to the current blackout, if you have more news please share.

https://www.aviation24.be/airports/brussel ... -stranded/

[webstermc]

At Q-Music (belgian radio station), they interviewed a stranded traveller who was waiting outside, and she heared from a friend working at brussels airport that there was a fire in the basement, but this is just a rumour, not confirmed...

[luchtzak]

2 switches INOP I heard on the radio.

Luggage conveyor belt and airco INOP.

[Av24.be]

5 Brussels Airlines long-haul not able to deboard this morning.

[luchtzak]

Many flights leaving without luggage.

[Stij]

I read everything is working again, but delays are still there...

[Acid-drop]

This is very scary.
How can they protect travelers if it only takes a power cut to have a huge mess?

[KriVa]

Situation is improving.
No more restrictions for arriving traffic now.

[Homo Aeroportus]

I was to take the 0625 to BCN this morning but upon leaving the P1 at 0550, I realized that it may not go as smooth as planned ...

Would-be passengers were to wait outside of the terminal building for quite a while.
No airport staff around.
At about 0630, a policeman whispered to the first two rows that they were to let batches of 20/30 persons in at a time so as to avoid chaos inside. This is when a loudhailer or a union representative trained to shout would be welcome to communicate with a +1000 crowd.

Batches were authorized every 3-5 minutes so it was clear the process would take hours.
I haven't heard any attempt to prioritize e.g. families with children squashed between trolleys or hand-luggage only passengers.

Around 07:30 I arrived at SN desk to avoid a no-show since OO-SND had left already. For me only meetings cancelled but many were in poor shape due to missed connecting flights.

Something went terribly wrong as such a total blackout is not to happen by design.
Other bad point is lack of information although every organization now knows how important it is to keep customers calm.
Each entrance booth was fully staffed with 4 police officers, 4 military and a buzzing BAC security staff. None of them could perform any type of screening in these conditions. More worrying to me is that thousands of people were gathered in such thigh area in front of the terminal building, with all media informing the general public of the situation, yet none of these highly trained security specialists had considered screening those joining the crowd .....
I purposely informed a BAC security staff and later a police officer of my concern and they seemed to understand, even saying they were to call the "Federal" about this ....


Well, another day in paradise.
Back to work.

H.A.

[sn26567]

I missed you by a little. I should be on your picture. I was able to enter among the first batches for my 06.30 TUI flight to MAH. Delayed 2h 30min until all pax were aboard.

[sn26567]

Oh yes, and the plane left without baggage. A logistical nightmare in the making!

[Stij]

But let's invest in office space and malls! That's what pax want and need!

Cheers,

Stij

[Poiu]

But let's invest in office space and malls! That's what pax want and need!

Cheers,

Stij

Indeed!!!
Imagine the panic should the connector go dark during a busy moment, victims guaranteed!

[luchtzak]

Power outage at Brussels Airport this morning

This morning a power outage occurred at Brussels Airport.

Crucial systems are running again but delays are expected throughout the day.

Departing passengers are expected to arrive at the airport in time for their flight.

Arriving passengers should not encounter any problems.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

For more information about your flight or rebooking, please contact your airline.

[luchtzak]

According to twitter about 3000 pieces of luggage are now left behind at Brussels Airport.

[eurojet]

What was the dividend BAC paid out? EUR 100 mio? Scandalous ... but as always in Belgium, responsibility will remain to be "determined". As always in situations like this, under-investment in non-revenue generating activities (like the grid, or security), will come to haunt you one day. They can give a ring to British Airways on how to cover up stuff like this .. With a bit of luck they will find a scape-goat that turned on a wrong switch just like at BA ...

[Passenger]

Luk De Wilde on VRT.be:
http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.3003107

[Boavida]

Talking about 'no lessons learned' after last year: I've heard the situation with the baggage handlers is very unsure at the moment, meaning a strike can be expected before the summer season. Another great yearly tradition at BRU...

[Homo Aeroportus]

I missed you by a little. I should be on your picture. I was able to enter among the first batches for my 06.30 TUI flight to MAH. Delayed 2h 30min until all pax were aboard.

So it was you !
I had the feeling I was not alone there indeed.

I hope you made it to destination, hopefully with your luggage.

Enjoy your stay.
I just pushed this day trip to next Thursday.

H.A.

[sn26567]

I missed you by a little. I should be on your picture. I was able to enter among the first batches for my 06.30 TUI flight to MAH. Delayed 2h 30min until all pax were aboard.

So it was you !
I had the feeling I was not alone there indeed.

I hope you made it to destination, hopefully with your luggage.

Enjoy your stay.
I just pushed this day trip to next Thursday.

H.A.

I had only hand baggage, so no worries. But for the other people, only 2 or 3 bags made it to MAH. The next flight from BRU is Sunday. Methinks TUI will get some expense reports for items of urgent need. And send them to Brussels Airport