DIA Closed Due To Blizzard Conditions
DENVER (CBS4)- Denver International Airport was closed on Wednesday afternoon due to the blizzard conditions.
Denver International Airport has made the decision to close the airport until further notice. Cont...
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 23, 2016
DIA said airport maintenance crews worked with the Denver Police Department to clear stranded and stuck vehicles from Peña Boulevard so that crews could plow the roadway in order to open it to traffic.
The airport encouraged passengers already at the airport to remain there because of treacherous winter driving conditions.
Passengers currently at the airport, please stay put until conditions improve and Pena Boulevard is safe and passable.
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 23, 2016
There were more than 735 flights, about half the scheduled flights for the day at DIA, cancelled before noon on Wednesday along with a major power outage early Wednesday morning. The power was restored about 9:20 a.m. but flights continued to be cancelled.
The Denver metro area was under a blizzard warning through 6 p.m. Wednesday which brought heavy snow and strong winds to the area.
Pena Boulevard was closed in both directions to and from the airport because of treacherous driving conditins. DIA tweeted an update just before noon Wednesday.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Pena Boulevard is CLOSED both directions to and from the airport
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 23, 2016
DIA spokesman Heath Montgomery said there was a major power outage at the airport early Wednesday which caused hundreds of flight cancellations. Xcel Energy restored power by 9:20 a.m.
Power has been restored to our fuel facility, flights will begin resuming as able. Passengers should check their flight status
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 23, 2016
DIA tweeted an update that power had been restored to the airport and flights would begin resuming as able.
During the power outage, DIA did not have the ability to pump aircraft fuel from its fuel storage facility and the aircraft that require refueling are not able to depart.
DIA also did not have the ability to pump aircraft deicing fluid to the deicing trucks.
Those conditions led the FAA to implement a ground stop. That ground stop remained in place on Wednesday afternoon.
PHOTO GALLERY: Spring Blizzard 2016
DIA said snow crews continued to work the runways and other surfaces that needed to be cleared.
The airport said passengers should expect delays and are being asked to check their flight information before heading to the airport.