Water leak, terminal closure at S.J. airport

Dec. 17, 2013

Dec. 16--SAN JOSE -- A water leak at Mineta San Jose International Airport prompted the closure of one of the airport's two terminals Monday, resulting in several flight delays and a handful of cancellations.

Two to three inches of water filled the skyway bridge leading to Terminal A after a hot water line ruptured about 2:15 a.m., according to airport officials. Maintenance crews fixed the leak, but couldn't open the terminal until the standing water was removed.

The terminal was reopened for limited traffic shortly before noon, but passengers scheduled to board there were still being advised in the afternoon to check in with their airline, then walk or take a shuttle to Terminal B to catch their flights. Those with carry-on luggage only could proceed directly to Terminal B.

Airport officials recommended that travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure.

"The airlines are very aware of what's happening here and will do whatever they can to make sure customers make their flight on time," airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes told reporters.

Airlines affected by the problem include American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United, U.S. Airways and Virgin America.

Airport officials did not know when Terminal A would reopen. The cause of the ruptured water line was not immediately known.

Kurtis Alexander and Henry K. Lee are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Twitter: @kurtisalexander, @henryklee

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