Atlanta, October 10, 2025
News Summary
The air traffic control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was evacuated due to a fire alarm and reports of a gas smell. This disrupted air traffic with delays skyrocketing from 280 to over 360 incidents, and nearly 600 flight cancellations occurred by the end of the night. Investigations by the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department found no gas presence, and operations resumed shortly after 6 p.m. after a secondary air traffic control tower was put in place.
Atlanta—The air traffic control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was evacuated on Friday night due to a fire alarm and reports of a gas smell. The evacuation occurred around 5 p.m. according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Air traffic control operations were halted, referred to as “ATC Zero,” meaning no air traffic control services were being provided. Controllers instructed pilots to hold tight while they evacuated the tower.
A ground stop was issued for all inbound flights to the airport, forcing flights to wait before taking off. Between 5:11 p.m. and 5:52 p.m., no planes took off, and only about five planes landed during that period. Some flights en route to the airport were put in holding patterns, while others were diverted. Reported flight delays surged from 280 to 360 during the evacuation window, with the number of canceled flights approaching 600 by the end of the night and ten specifically noted as canceled on Friday.
During the incident, the pilot of a flight from Greensboro, South Carolina reported landing “uncontrolled” due to the evacuation of air traffic control. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department investigated the situation but found no gas present in the tower and eventually gave the all-clear. Flight operations resumed around 6 p.m. after the situation was cleared.
The airport had anticipated high passenger traffic, expecting about 114,000 passengers to be screened, potentially surpassing a previous record. Despite staffing shortages reported at air traffic control facilities nationwide during the government shutdown, Hartsfield-Jackson was not listed as short-staffed in the operations plan for that evening. Controllers are essential employees required to work through the government shutdown but have not been receiving pay during this time.
The FAA is setting up a secondary air traffic control tower, which facilitated the lifting of the ground stop approximately 45 minutes after it was initiated.
Impact on Flights
The evacuation led to a significant impact on air travel. Delays saw a rise to over 360 reported incidents, and cancellations approached 600 by the evening’s end. Notably, only a handful of aircraft were able to land or take off during the height of the situation, causing considerable disruption for travelers.
Background Context
The incident occurred amid ongoing nationwide issues related to government staffing shortages impacting air traffic control facilities. While the Hartsfield-Jackson staff was not reported to be short-staffed on that day, the confusion and evacuation still severely disrupted operations at one of the world’s busiest airports.
What Happened During the Event?
The sequence of events began with prevalent reports of a gas smell, prompting the evacuation protocol to be enacted. With air traffic control services halted, critical procedures for managing flights were rendered ineffective temporarily, highlighting the complex interplay of factors that can affect major air travel hubs.
Next Steps
Flight operations began again shortly after 6 p.m. as the situation was resolved. Airports and air traffic control facilities are continually on alert to ensure passenger safety and operational integrity amid unexpected situations such as this fire alarm and subsequent evacuation.
FAQ
What caused the evacuation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport?
The evacuation was due to a fire alarm and reports of a gas smell.
When did the evacuation occur?
The evacuation occurred around 5 p.m.
What was the impact on flights during the evacuation?
Between 5:11 p.m. and 5:52 p.m., no planes took off, and only about five planes landed during that period, leading to a surge in delays from 280 to 360 and cancellations approaching 600 by the end of the night.
How did air traffic control respond to the situation?
Controllers instructed pilots to hold tight while they evacuated the tower, resulting in halted air traffic control operations known as “ATC Zero.”
Was the gas smell found to be present in the tower?
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department investigated but found no gas present in the tower.
When did flight operations resume?
Flight operations resumed around 6 p.m. after the situation was cleared.
Flight Operations Summary Chart
| Time | Flights Taken Off | Flights Landed | Flight Delays Reported | Cancellations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:11 p.m. – 5:52 p.m. | 0 | 5 | 280 – 360 | Approaching 600 |
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Additional Resources
- CNN: Atlanta Control Tower Evacuated
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Atlanta Airport Tower Evacuated
- Reuters: FAA Resuming Flights at Atlanta Airport
- Travel and Tour World: US Travel Chaos at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
- Wikipedia: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
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