Heathrow Airport in London, one of the world’s busiest airports, has announced its closure on Friday following a significant power outage caused by a large fire at a nearby electrical substation. In a statement released on X, Heathrow Airport stated, “Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is currently experiencing a significant power outage. To ensure the safety of our passengers and staff, Heathrow will remain closed until 23:59 on 21st March.” Travelers were advised to steer clear of the airport and to contact their respective airlines for further updates.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport informed USA TODAY that fire crews had responded to the incident, but there is uncertainty regarding when power will be fully restored. The spokesperson acknowledged that significant disruptions are anticipated in the days ahead. “We will provide updates as soon as more information on the resumption of operations becomes available,” Heathrow stated in its release. “We understand the disappointment this may cause passengers and want to assure everyone that we are working diligently to resolve the situation.”
The London Fire Brigade reported that a transformer within an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, was ablaze. Firefighters have been working through the night to extinguish the fire. By early Friday morning, half of the transformer was still alight, with ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters engaged in the operation.
Videos circulating on social media depicted the flames and smoke billowing into the sky. Approximately 150 individuals near the fire were evacuated, and a 200-meter cordon was established as a precautionary measure. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne stated that 29 people had been safely led away from nearby properties, with over 200 calls being handled by control officers.
Residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. A large number of homes and local businesses have been affected by the power outage, with authorities working to minimize disruptions and warning of prolonged disturbances.
Eurocontrol, the organization overseeing air traffic control operations in Europe, announced that Heathrow Airport was not receiving incoming flights due to the power outage, with diversion plans in place. As one of the world’s busiest two-runway airports, Heathrow accommodates about 1,300 combined take-offs and landings per day.
Ian Petchenik, a spokesperson for FlightRadar24, noted the global impact of Heathrow’s closure, stating, “Heathrow is a major global hub, and this disruption will have a ripple effect on airlines worldwide.” Scores of flights were already being redirected as a result of the airport’s closure, causing significant travel disruptions.
Heathrow Airport in London was forced to close due to a substation fire causing a power outage. Flights from various airlines, including Qantas Airways flying from Perth to Paris and a United Airlines flight from New York to Shannon, Ireland, were affected. In response to the closure, some U.S. flights had to turn back mid-air to their departure points. FlightRadar24 reported that over 120 flights bound for Heathrow had to be diverted to alternate airports. Source: Reuters. (Updated information has been included in this report.) Originally published on USA TODAY.
