‘Clown show’: Computers, screening tech shut down after power outage cripples terminal at Sydney Airport

Frustrated travellers have slammed a power outage at a major Aussie airport as a “clown show” after computers and screening technology were impacted, leading to delays.

Scenes at Sydney Airport following the power outage that impacted security and check in. Picture: Twitter - HoraceHubris

A terminal at a major Australian airport came to a grounding stop after a reported power outage shut down computers and security screening procedures.

Frustrated customers at Sydney Airport took to social media to vent their frustrations on Friday, when power dropped at terminal two, taking aim at the airport.

One person posted to X – formerly known as Twitter – claiming: “Clown show is currently in progress … time for it to be taken back into public hands.”

@SydneyAirport Clown show currently in progress … time for it to be taken back into public hands. pic.twitter.com/0F11TnNmxz

— Horace Hubris (@HoraceHubris) November 24, 2023

Another said technology seemed to have stopped working at the bag drop at a Virgin Australia terminal.

“Computers stop working, security screening stations not working, lights dropping out … and yet flights are still closing and leaving despite some very distressed people in the lines!,” they wrote.

One other user said that the airport was going to find themselves out of pocket thanks to the outage.

Absolute chaos at @SydneyAirport T2 today. @VirginAustralia bag drop computers stop working, security screening stations not working, lights dropping out… and yet flights are still closing and leaving despite some very distressed people in the lines! pic.twitter.com/EUMAzsGij6

— Tobi Loftus (@tobiloftus) November 23, 2023

“‘Gonna be a lot of compensation for a lot of customers,” they wrote.

A Sydney Airport spokesperson however said that it didn’t take long to get back up and running and no flights should have been missed.

“Earlier this morning there was a brief power outage that temporarily affected some check-in and security processes,” they said.

“Power was quickly restored and there have been no knock-on impacts to airport operations or flight departures.”

Sydney airport today has power outage issues at Terminal Two. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

This was disputed by one Virgin passenger though on Twitter.

“My flight left without me, but I was rebooked onto a flight tonight,” they wrote. “Not everyone was so lucky as there were only a couple of seats left to Brisbane today.”

Virgin has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘Clown show’: Computers, screening tech shut down after power outage cripples terminal at Sydney Airport