A minor control tower water leak caused hundreds of flights departing from or arriving at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday to be delayed or canceled on July Fourth weekend.
At least 300 flights were delayed for an average of 30 minutes, according to analysis of the flight tracker on the airport’s website conducted by NBC 4 New York.
“JFK controllers are operating from a secondary control tower due to a minor water leak in the main facility. Operations at this facility, combined with area weather, require more spacing between aircraft. As such, the FAA is holding most flights destined for JFK from departing,” the airport tweeted.
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JFK controllers are operating from a secondary control tower due to a minor water leak in the main facility. Operations at this facility, combined with area weather, require more spacing between aircraft. As such, the FAA is holding most flights destined for JFK from departing.
— Kennedy Airport. Wear a Face Covering. (@JFKairport) July 3, 2021
Just under 48 million people in the United States traveled during the July Fourth weekend as they celebrate with loved ones amid the rescinding of COVID-19 rules in many municipalities, AAA estimated.
The water leak was resolved around an hour after it was first announced, but some travelers still experienced residual consequences from the incident.
“JFK controllers are returning to the primary control tower following an earlier water leak,” the airport later tweeted. “The airport remains open, however as a result of this, coupled with regional weather conditions, customers may experience residual delays. Contact your airline for your flight’s status.”
JFK controllers are returning to the primary control tower following an earlier water leak. The airport remains open, however as a result of this, coupled with regional weather conditions, customers may experience residual delays . Contact your airline for your flight’s status.
— Kennedy Airport. Wear a Face Covering. (@JFKairport) July 4, 2021
The resolution of the leak did not stop angry Twitter users from voicing their displeasure at the airport.
“@JetBlue crew on the flight from MCO-JFK that was grounded at Richmond were the most unprofessional I’ve ever seen. I am a mosaic member flying with a infant who had run out of food and was told there was nothing they could do. Thank god for @Hertz,” wrote one Twitter user.
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Authorities did not announce the cause of the water leak.
The New York and New Jersey Port Authority, which oversees the JFK Airport, did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
