The air traffic control tower can be seen from the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport terminal, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Megan Varner

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it is resuming flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a fire alarm and reports of a strong natural gas odor forced a ground stop and the temporary evacuation of the air traffic control tower.

The issue prompted a halt to flights and some flight diversions. FlightAware, a flight tracking website, said 500 flights had been delayed and nine canceled. At least a half dozen Delta Air Lines flights were diverted, FlightRadar24 said.

"Flights in Atlanta are moving again, but this is going to take a long time to clear this evening," FlightRadar24 said.

The FAA said the tower was being restaffed after employees were given an all-clear to return.

Atlanta, a major hub for Delta, is the busiest U.S. airport by passengers.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Jasper Ward and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Diane Craft and Tom Hogue)