The Effect of Power Failures at Airports
Aviation is one of the single largest industries in both the United States and the world. It is projected that by the year 2032, there will be 1.2 billion people flying on US airlines alone annually per year. As such, aviation is an industry wherein maintaining a constant supply of power is vital to operational and human health and safety. The risks inherent to losing power in an airport may not be immediately apparent at first, but all of them can contribute to costly consequences for air travelers at best, to potentially deadly disasters.
The Risks:
Delays in Departures
One of the most immediately obvious risks inherent to a loss of power in an airport is that departures may be delayed. Airlines rely on electronic ticket validation systems, along with other electronic systems used to verify passenger identity and produce the legally required flight manifest. If these systems aren’t functional, then the airline may not be permitted to allow people to board their flights until power has been restored.
Security Lapses
The TSA makes use of electronic kiosks and scanners in order to screen all passengers and their bags for prohibited items. If the TSA cannot perform these legally mandated screens, then they either have to search all passengers and bags individually, leading to potentially extreme delays in passenger processing, or more likely, they will refuse to allow any further passengers into the restricted area. This can also lead to delays and even missed flights outright once power is restored.
Failure of Climate Control Systems
Climate control systems, like air conditioning and heat, rely on electricity in order to run. Without it, these systems will cease to function. Depending on where the airport is located and the time of year, this can quickly lead to a dangerous situation for passengers and airport staff. Temperature dysregulation can be especially dangerous to children and the elderly.
Loss of Flight Support
Even more dangerous than a loss of climate control within the airport itself is a loss of flight support. Air traffic control relies on electrical systems. If air traffic controllers can’t use their equipment, then they can’t direct flights to land and take off at the airport safely. This can quickly lead to fatal collisions in the air or on the runway.
Potential Fire
Depending on how backup systems are routed, the loss of power can potentially cause an electrical fire if switchgears fail, as happened in 2017 at the Atlanta airport.
Crowds
While not immediately apparent, one of the most dangerous potential consequences of power loss at an airport doesn’t come from electrical equipment at all. It comes from the massive crowds within the airport. The collective consciousness in the United States is very sensitive to issues involving aviation. Additionally, air travel is generally considered to be a stressful experience as it is. Anger, fear, and frustration can easily lead to pandemonium in otherwise rational people in a crowd setting. This increases the risk of fights, trampling in the dark, and other kinds of human-induced injury.
Generators Are The Solution
Due to all these factors and more, the FAA requires all airports to have reliable backup power generation systems. At GenTech, our combined decades of experience can assist your organization in choosing the right industrial-scale power generation tool for you. Contact us today to learn more!