A huge fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport has caused a major power outage, forcing the airport to shut down all flights for an entire day. This sudden closure is causing chaos for thousands of passengers and disrupting global flight schedules.
What Happened?
-
The fire broke out in West London, with 70 firefighters battling massive orange flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky.
-
150 people were evacuated from nearby buildings, and thousands of homes were left without electricity.
-
The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, according to the London Fire Brigade.
How This Affects Flights
-
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, will remain closed until midnight on March 21, as confirmed in an official statement.
-
Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport, as flights are either canceled or rerouted.
-
120 incoming flights had to divert to other airports, and over 1,351 flights scheduled for Friday were affected.
Airlines Struggling to Adjust
-
British Airways, which had 341 flights scheduled for Heathrow, said the closure would have a major impact on passengers.
-
Airlines worldwide are scrambling to adjust their routes.
-
Qantas Airways rerouted a flight from Perth to Paris.
-
A United Airlines flight from New York was sent to Ireland instead.
-
Another United flight from San Francisco was redirected to Washington, D.C.
-
-
Some flights turned around mid-air and returned to their departure airports in the U.S.
“Chaos in the Coming Days”
Experts warn that this disruption will last far beyond today, as airlines struggle to reposition planes and crews.
“It’s going to be a chaotic couple of days,” said travel analyst Henry Harteveldt.
Passengers are stranded and frustrated, taking to social media to share their experiences.
-
One passenger, Adrian Spender, who was aboard a British Airways Airbus A380, posted:
“No idea where we are going yet. Currently flying over Austria.”
No Timeline for Power Restoration
-
Heathrow officials have no estimate on when power will be restored.
-
Firefighters led 29 people to safety, and authorities established a 200-meter safety zone around the area.
Previous Heathrow Issues
This isn’t the first time Heathrow has suffered major disruptions. In 2023, the airport experienced:
An automated gate failure An air traffic system meltdown
What Should Passengers Do?
If you’re flying through Heathrow:
Check with your airline for alternative routes. Expect delays and rebookings over the next few days. Avoid traveling to the airport unless absolutely necessary.
With no clear resolution yet, this Heathrow shutdown is shaping up to be one of the biggest travel disruptions of the year!
