CNN —
Heathrow Airport Closes Due to Power Outage
London’s Heathrow Airport declared a full-day closure on Friday as a result of a “significant power outage” linked to a major fire nearby, severely impacting operations at one of the world’s busiest airports. Numerous flights had to turn back midair or divert to alternative locations.
Details of the Outage
The airport issued a statement via X, explaining, “A fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport has resulted in a major power outage.” They confirmed that operations would remain suspended until 11:59 PM on March 21 to ensure safety for passengers and staff.
Travel Disruption Expected
Acknowledging the disruption, Heathrow advised passengers not to travel to the airport until further notice, emphasizing uncertainty around when power could be reliably restored.
Fire Incident Details
The London Fire Brigade reported that a transformer at an electrical substation in Hayes, just a few miles from the airport, erupted in flames on Thursday night. Firefighters continued efforts to extinguish the blaze into Friday morning.
Impact on Residents and Flights
The fire resulted in the evacuation of 150 people from the vicinity, with more than 16,000 homes losing power. Flight tracking service Cirium indicated that over 1,350 flights would be disrupted. In the air at the time of the closure, 120 flights needed to divert or return to their departure points.
Passenger Experiences and Reactions
Passengers reported varied reactions. For instance, Kim Mikkel Skibrek was redirected after three hours of flying, expressing his frustration but ultimately remaining calm about the situation. Meanwhile, others with planned weddings in London were anxious about potential delays in reaching their destinations.
Looking Forward
As authorities work to manage the fire and its consequences, questions are being raised about why a critical site like Heathrow could not switch to backup power. This story is still developing, and updates will follow.
— CNN’s Martin Goillandeau and Juliana Liu contributed to this report.
