Heathrow Airport in England announced its closure for the entire day on Friday due to a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation, resulting in a widespread power outage that disrupted flight schedules globally. The London Fire Brigade deployed around 70 firefighters to combat the blaze in western London, which caused the power disruption affecting Heathrow, Europe’s busiest and the world’s fifth busiest airport. Bright orange flames soared into the sky as firefighters worked to contain the fire, with the cause remaining unknown.
Multiple flights were redirected to alternative airports, including a Qantas Airways flight from Perth to Paris and a United Airlines New York flight rerouted to Shannon, Ireland. Flights departing from the U.S. were forced to turn back mid-flight, with a United Airlines flight from San Francisco redirected to Washington, D.C. instead of London. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also diverted their flights to Gatwick Airport.
To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, Heathrow Airport issued a statement announcing the closure until midnight on March 21, advising travelers not to proceed to the airport. The power outage also affected local homes and businesses, prompting evacuations and safety measures by the fire brigade. Heathrow Airport foresees prolonged disruption as efforts to restore power continue.
Eurocontrol, responsible for managing air traffic control operations in Europe, stated that Heathrow Airport was not accepting arrivals due to the outage, with contingency plans in place for diverted flights. Heathrow, operating as a major two-runway hub with approximately 1,300 daily take-offs and landings, plays a crucial role in global air travel. The incident is expected to have a significant impact on airline operations worldwide, according to FlightRadar24 spokesman Ian Petchenik.
