By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it is resuming flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a fire alarm and reports of a strong natural gas odor forced a ground stop and the temporary evacuation of the air traffic control tower. The issue prompted a halt to flights and […]
U.S.
US FAA resuming flights at Atlanta airport after air traffic control evacuated
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By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it is resuming flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a fire alarm and reports of a strong natural gas odor forced a ground stop and the temporary evacuation of the air traffic control tower.
The issue prompted a halt to flights and some flight diversions. FlightAware, a flight tracking website, said 500 flights had been delayed and nine canceled. At least a half dozen Delta Air Lines flights were diverted, FlightRadar24 said.
“Flights in Atlanta are moving again, but this is going to take a long time to clear this evening,” FlightRadar24 said.
The FAA said the tower was being restaffed after employees were given an all-clear to return.
Atlanta, a major hub for Delta, is the busiest U.S. airport by passengers.
(Reporting by David Shepardson, Jasper Ward and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Diane Craft and Tom Hogue)