Sydney airport evacuated over smoke in control tower

Smoke from the control tower was reported early on Sunday. Flights were flights grounded, while flights already in the air were diverted.

There have been big delays for travellers in recnet months. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Flights have begun to leave and arrive at Sydney airport once again after all services were suspended for an hour due to reports of smoke from the air control tower.

The incident was reported early on Sunday — causing two flights already in the air to be diverted to other airports in Australia.

All flights were halted for an hour as investigators looked into the cause of the smoke, which was put down to gas fumes through the airconditioning.

Dr Malcom Davis, a senior analyst at Australian Strategic Policy Institute took to Twitter after his flight was told of what had occured.

“On flight from #Canberra to #Sydney and just been informed by flight staff that there has been a fire in the tower at Sydney airport. Everything is on hold!! No idea how long the delays. Do I get to Perth today??”

There have been big delays for travellers in recnet months. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Another excited traveller took to Twitter revealing their travel woes as a result of the evacuation from the tower.

“Not a great start to my Tampa trip,” the traveller said.

“Flight from Gold Coast to Sydney has been grounded due to #sydneyairport control tower evacuation. Unlikely I’ll make my multiple connections.”

In a statement to news.com.au, Airservices Australia, who looks after the control tower, said no one was harmed during the ordeal.

“Airservices Australia’s Sydney Tower was this morning evacuated for one hour due to gas fumes through the air-conditioning,” the spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Airservices’ Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service was in attendance.

“No one was harmed in the incident.

“All air traffic management services have now been restored. A Ground Stop – and holding NOTAM (notice to pilots and industry) have now been cancelled.

“One international diversion occurred, with a United Airlines aircraft diverted to Brisbane.”

However, social media users suggest that another United flight bound for Sydney from Houston, Texas, was diverted to Canberra.

News.com.au understands that the airport is up and running once again with flights resuming following the control tower’s evacution.