Operations at London's Heathrow Airport came to a standstill on Friday following a devastating fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes. The incident, which occurred late Thursday night, led to a power outage that disabled the airport's operations, causing major global travel disruptions. According to Britain's energy secretary, Ed Miliband, the incident was a "catastrophic fire" that also impacted backup systems, complicating restoration efforts. While no foul play has been suggested as a cause, the investigation into the fire is underway.
With Heathrow being one of the world's busiest airports, handling around 1,300 flights daily, the shutdown is poised to affect an estimated 290,000 travelers, many of whom are left in limbo as airlines scramble to rebook flights. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among the airlines that have halted operations entirely for the day, redirecting flights to other airports while advising passengers to refrain from traveling to Heathrow under any circumstances.
Impact on air travel has been felt globally, with flight cancellations and rerouting reported in airports across Europe and beyond. Passengers arriving at airports like Fiumicino in Rome and Schiphol in Amsterdam found their connections disrupted, with long lines forming as people sought updates or alternative travel arrangements. The situation has led to a significant logistical scramble, as travelers seek accommodations and rebooking options amidst the chaos.
In addition to passenger flights, the closure of Heathrow poses a serious challenge for air freight, disrupting the shipment of goods essential for international trade and businesses, especially as the airport handled nearly half of all British air cargo by weight last year.
As of the latest updates, the London Fire Brigade has managed to control the fire, but officials warn that the effects of the outage will continue to ripple through the travel industry for several days. Authorities have urged travelers to stay informed and to check their flight status on airline websites rather than crowding the airport in hopes of alternative arrangements.
