Fire-Caused Power Outage Hits Oslo Airport, Testing Avinor's Critical Systems

January 6, 2026 at 08:41 PM•3 min read

Avinor confirmed a fire-related power outage at Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) caused delays and terminal disruption, but critical air traffic control systems remained operational.

Key Points

1The power outage, caused by a fire in a regional power mast, began at 16:20 on Tuesday.
2Oslo Airport Gardermoen lost normal power for about one hour, but critical air traffic control continued via Avinor backup systems.
3Non-critical functions, including baggage handling and terminal lighting, were disrupted, leading to Norwegian airline delays and ground transport cancellations.
4The event tested the airport's emergency power management systems, which are crucial for maintaining safety and operational flow.

A major power outage disrupts operations at Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL).

The disruption began Tuesday afternoon in the Romerike region. Grid operator Elvia reported a fire in a regional power mast. This fault was first reported at 16:20 local time. The outage initially affected up to 34,000 households at its peak. Emergency crews worked quickly to isolate the fault. By early evening, the number of affected homes dropped to 22,000.

Impact on Critical Airport Operations

Airport operator Avinor confirmed the airport lost normal power for about one hour. Critical airport operations were protected by Avinor backup systems. This allowed air traffic control (ATC) to continue safely. Airports must meet high standards for emergency power. These standards ensure essential safety systems remain active. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) sets strict operational requirements.

However, non-critical systems were affected. Parts of the terminal went dark due to the power loss. This caused disruptions to retail and baggage handling services. Emergency lighting was gradually restored by 17:40. This restored some normalcy to the terminal environment. Passengers described a calm but subdued atmosphere. Several baggage belts were out of service during the incident.

Airline and Ground Transport Disruption

Airlines, including Norwegian, reported ongoing flight delays. They advised passengers to monitor updates closely. Delays are a common result of airport operational issues. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) works to standardize global response protocols. The Norwegian airline delays were managed with passenger communication. The event highlights the need for robust operational resilience in commercial aviation news.

Ground transport faced significant challenges as well. The airport express train was cancelled between Oslo Central Station and Gardermoen. Passengers had to use replacement buses and taxis. A signal fault near Gardermoen added to the problem. This led to reduced train service between Lillestrøm and the airport. These combined issues caused further delays and cancellations. Authorities worked into the evening to stabilize both the power grid and transport systems.

Emergency Power Management and Resilience

The incident underscores the importance of emergency power management. Airports are complex facilities with many systems. They rely on redundant power for safety and efficiency. Avinor’s air traffic control center uses tailored emergency power systems. These systems are vital for air safety near the Norwegian capital. Maintaining this resilience is a core challenge for airport infrastructure worldwide. Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing also rely on consistent airport operations. Stakeholders must continuously invest in system redundancy. This ensures minimal impact during external power events. You can find more commercial aviation news at flying.flights.