Aviation officials said an airfield lighting vault caused a four hour power outage that shut down Midway Airport operations Thursday night.
The blackout shut down most of the runway lights at around 9 p.m., and workers weren't able to get the lights back on until around 1 a.m.
Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Karen Pride said 85 flights were canceled or diverted while the airport was closed. Only a few flights were allowed to arrive and depart after the blackout.
Passengers tried to reschedule flights Friday, and some won't be able to leave Chicago until Saturday.
Some planes were on the runway awaiting takeoff, when the runway lights flickered and went out. Incoming planes had to be diverted to other cities leaving some people stranded.
Officials said the terminal was not affected. Passengers were able to get off planes that returned to the terminal. They slept on cots and the floor.
There were long lines at the car rental counters because many travelers found out their next available flight would not leave for at least 24 hours.
Com Ed responded to the outage and found it was not a power delivery problem but an airport equipment malfunction.
Passengers said they were told that backup power generators failed at Midway but Aviation officials did not confirm that statement.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 23:20:22 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:14:33 GMT
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:10:10 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
