Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport has delayed all departing flights as police evacuate the massive terminals.
The cause of the incident is currently being investigated, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has revealed.
Passengers are reportedly being force to use emergency slides to deplane as airport equipment grinds to a halt.
Huge numbers of passengers have been navigating darkened terminals using the lights on their phones.
Witness Olivia Doorman said: “This has been very bizarre.
“No one seems to know what they’re doing.”
Witnesses have described acrid smoke filling terminals from an unknown source.
Wheelchair users have had to be carried down escalators as people struggle to navigate the powerless airport.
The chaos has hit the airport at one of the busiest times for travel in the United States as families travel home for Christmas.
An announcement has reportedly said all flights were cancelled and advised people to rebook on Tuesday as it will take “days” for the transport system to recover.
The FAA tweeted: “The FAA has put in a ground stop for flights headed to Atlanta Airport due to a power outage affecting the airport terminals.
“The FAA Tower can operate normally, however, departures are delayed because airport equipment in the terminals is not working.”
More to follow…