This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ Aviation Chaos After Power Outages August 15, 2003 By REUTERS Filed at 6:47 p.m. ET CHICAGO (Reuters) - Travelers faced a second day of aviation chaos on Friday, triggered by a historic North American power blackout that forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights and could cost the industry tens of millions of dollars. Airlines canceled at least 1,200 flights on Friday, many destined for stricken U.S. and Canadian airports in New York, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto and Ottawa. Air Canada temporarily suspended all flights worldwide because of a power failure at its main operations center near Toronto. Service was limited at several major airports -- especially New York's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, and Detroit -- despite a go-ahead from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to resume operations. Full power was restored at Newark, New Jersey and Cleveland airports, but service was not at full strength. Passengers crowded terminals at JFK and LaGuardia and roadways at LaGuardia neared gridlock, the New York/New Jersey Port Authority said, warning people to avoid both airports unless they had confirmed flights or were picking up travelers. Thousands of frustrated passengers scrambled to make new travel arrangements, with some hiring limousines to drive home or to airports with better service. Others stood in long lines and lashed out with complaints to anyone who would listen. ``I'm aggravated, frustrated, tired. I need coffee, my feet hurt,'' said Carlos Marolo, who drove to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport from blacked-out Detroit to try to catch a flight to the East Coast but could not find an empty seat. The power outages caused the biggest disruption in air service not related to weather since the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks. In the wake of the attacks, U.S. air travel demand was cut in half and airlines saw nearly $20 billion in combined losses. On top of that event, the travel industry was hit by fears of the pneumonia-like SARS virus and the war in Iraq. HIRE A LIMO A few stranded passengers at Boston's Logan International Airport resorted to hiring limousines for the 200-miletrek to New York at the going rate of $200 per passenger. ``It is a big inconvenience,'' said Bea Burke, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who was among those who decided to splurge. Computer systems, bag conveyors and airport jetways operated at some airports, but not at others. Some passenger and bag screening --automated since Sept. 11 -- had to be done manually. The blackout slowed deliveries of jet fuel to some airports, which in turn delayed flights. Travelers seeking an alternative to flight found rail service also disrupted due to the outage. Amtrak reported limited service between Washington and New York and suspended trains on the Northeast Corridor servicing Boston. To placate travelers, several airlines waived fees for changing plans, but rearranging itineraries was made more difficult because most large air carriers have slashed their schedules in recent months. ``You are probably looking at tens of millions of dollars of losses for the airline industry by the time this settles,'' said Michael Boyd, an airline industry consultant. ``You are talking about taking the most populous single area of the country and shutting down all the airports,'' Boyd said. U.S. power grid operators called this the biggest blackout in North American history. Flight cancellations were rife, with Air Canada canceling a vast majority of more than 700 flights. American Airlines (AMR.N) canceled 259 and its regional carrier American Eagle 93. United Airlines (UALAQ.OB) cut 40 flights, U.S. Airways (USALA.OB) halted 100, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) dropped 126 and Northwest Airlines (NWAC.O) canceled 174 flights. JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) expected to cancel 20 flights at JFK, Continental Airlines (CAL.N) cut 11 flights and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) dropped 17. It could take 36 hours for planes and crews to get back into position after the power disruptions, said Terry Trippler of Cheapseats.com. Not knowing when or if he could fly was irritating to Jim Innes, a Canadian stranded at Chicago's O'Hare. ``This is very annoying. I'm going to miss my golf game if I don't get there on time today.'' http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-power-airlines.html?ex=1061998279&ei=1&en=528c274498a5c666 --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company