Heathrow Airport Closure Due to Power Outage
Heathrow Airport, the busiest in the UK, will be closed for all of Friday due to a “significant” power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies the airport.
The airport has warned passengers to expect “significant disruption” in the upcoming days and advised them not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. A spokesperson emphasized the need for the closure to ensure passenger and staff safety, specifying that it will last until 23:59 on March 21, 2025.
“This will undoubtedly be disappointing for passengers, and we want to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to resolve the issue,” the representative added. There is uncertainty regarding when power will be reliably restored, as emergency crews continue to respond to the situation.
Flight Disruptions
The disruption has impacted at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow on Friday, with some 120 aircraft already airborne when the closure was announced, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
United Airlines has reported that seven of its flights headed for Heathrow have either had to return to their starting points or were redirected to other airports. Similarly, Qantas announced that two of its flights were diverted from London to Paris.
Passengers Affected
A group of Scottish football fans in Athens, who were set to return to Heathrow after attending a match, found all their flights canceled just as they were about to enjoy breakfast at the airport. After being informed of the cancellations, they were escorted back through passport control to re-enter Greece.
Fire Incident Overview
The fire at the substation in Hayes, West London, has resulted in power outages for thousands of homes and the evacuation of around 150 residents from nearby buildings. Emergency services were called to the scene late Thursday night, and video footage has shown significant flames and smoke coming from the site.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. An update from the London Fire Brigade indicated that half of a transformer within the substation was still ablaze early on Friday morning. Approximately 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines have been deployed to contain the blaze.
