Power Outage Forces Airport Closure, Affecting Thousands of Passengers
A massive fire at a power substation near London’s Heathrow Airport has led to a major power outage, forcing the airport to shut down operations throughout Friday. The disruption has had a severe global impact, with over 1,300 flights canceled or delayed, leaving approximately 100,000 travelers stranded.
Chaos at One of the World’s Busiest Airports
The fire, which broke out early Friday morning, quickly spread, causing significant power failures that crippled Heathrow’s infrastructure. The London Fire Brigade responded swiftly, evacuating over 150 people from the affected area. However, the fire’s intensity and the risk of further power failures forced authorities to halt all airport operations for the remainder of the day.
With Heathrow—a key international hub—out of service, flights have been diverted to Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport, and Shannon Airport in Ireland. However, the sudden surge in diverted flights has caused further congestion at these alternative airports, leading to additional delays.
Passengers Stranded as Airlines Struggle to Cope
Thousands of frustrated passengers have been left stranded, with long queues forming at airline counters as travelers scramble to rebook their flights. Some airlines have provided hotel accommodations, while others are advising passengers to avoid Heathrow altogether until normal operations resume.
One stranded traveler, Anna Patel, described the scene as “absolute chaos,” saying, “I was supposed to fly to New York for an important business meeting, but now I have no idea when I’ll get there. No one seems to have clear answers.”
Firefighters Battling the Blaze
Firefighters remain on-site, working tirelessly to bring the blaze under control and assess the extent of the damage. The cause of the fire remains unknown, though authorities have launched an investigation. While there have been no reported injuries, officials have warned that power outages and flight disruptions could persist into the night.
What’s Next?
Heathrow Airport authorities are working to restore operations as soon as possible, but full functionality may take time, depending on the damage assessment. Passengers with upcoming flights are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and seek alternative routes if necessary.
For now, the world’s second-busiest airport remains at a standstill, with travelers, airlines, and airport staff bracing for continued disruptions.