Perth Airport Power Outage Causes Major Flight Delays

Perth Airport is experiencing widespread flight delays and terminal disruptions following a significant power outage that began on Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026. As of late Thursday, passengers have been advised to expect ongoing delays as airport operations work to recover from the loss of power.

Why it is trending now

The disruption was triggered by a power outage that authorities have linked to a bushfire currently burning in the foothills near Kalamunda. The loss of electricity has impacted terminal operations and forced the airport to manage a backlog of flights, with some inbound services reportedly told to disembark or delay arrivals.

Key facts

• Western Power has estimated that power will be restored to the airport facility by 7:30pm, according to reports from PerthNow.
• A spokesperson for Perth Airport confirmed that safety and security remain the highest priority while services are progressively returning to normal operations.
• The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the outage was linked to a bushfire in the Perth foothills, which began impacting local homes around the same time the airport lost power.
• Airlines including Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar have confirmed that their flight schedules are currently experiencing delays, with passengers encouraged to check directly with their respective carriers for the latest updates.

Why this is trending in Australia

This event is trending locally as Perth Airport serves as the primary aviation hub for Western Australia, and the simultaneous occurrence of a bushfire creates significant concern for residents and travelers across the region.

Background and context

The power failure occurred on the afternoon of October 29, 2026. While some terminal services began to come back online by 4:00pm, the airport remains under stress. The outage is tied to broader emergency conditions in the Perth foothills, where bushfires are currently impacting infrastructure.

What happens next

Airport authorities are working to restore normal schedules, but travelers should anticipate continued delays throughout the evening. Passengers are advised to monitor official airport channels and airline notifications until power is fully restored and flight operations stabilize.