San Diego International Airport Faces Major Delays After Power Outage
San Diego International Airport (SAN) experienced widespread disruptions Monday morning after a power outage grounded flights and stranded thousands of passengers. The outage, which began around 6:30 a.m. PST, affected terminal operations, security screening, and baggage systems, causing cascading delays throughout the day.
Airport officials confirmed the issue stemmed from an electrical failure in a substation serving the airport. San Diego Gas & Electric crews worked to restore power by 8:15 a.m., but residual impacts continued into the afternoon. At least 120 flights were delayed or canceled, primarily affecting Southwest, Alaska, and American Airlines operations.
Travelers reported chaotic scenes as TSA checkpoints temporarily closed and digital boarding systems failed. "We were stuck in a security line for over two hours with no updates," said stranded passenger Mark Reynolds. The airport deployed backup generators and manual processing procedures to mitigate disruptions.
The outage comes during peak spring travel season, compounding frustrations for vacationers and business travelers. SAN ranks as the busiest single-runway airport in the U.S., handling nearly 25 million passengers annually. Airport CEO Kimberly Becker apologized for the inconvenience and promised a full review of the electrical infrastructure.
Trending searches spiked as affected passengers sought real-time updates and alternative travel options. The airport advised travelers to check flight statuses directly with airlines before heading to terminals. Power-related disruptions at major airports remain rare but have increased 18% nationwide since 2022, according to FAA data.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria acknowledged the incident on social media, stating city officials were monitoring the situation. The outage also impacted nearby rental car facilities and airport-adjacent businesses. Full operational normalcy is expected by Tuesday, though some flight schedule adjustments may persist.
