A major fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, west London, has led to the complete closure of Heathrow Airport, causing widespread disruption to global air travel. The blaze resulted in a significant power outage, prompting airport authorities to suspend all operations until midnight on 21 March.
The incident began when a fire broke out at the North Hyde substation, approximately 1.5 miles from Heathrow. Emergency services, including 70 firefighters and ten fire engines, responded to the scene. The intensity of the fire necessitated the evacuation of around 150 residents from nearby properties, and a 200-metre safety cordon was established. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The power outage has had a profound impact on Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, which handles approximately 1,300 flights and 200,000 passengers daily. The closure has led to the cancellation of over 1,000 flights, affecting tens of thousands of travellers worldwide. Passengers scheduled to depart from Heathrow have been advised not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines for further information.
The disruption extends beyond Heathrow’s immediate vicinity. Airlines operating out of the airport are facing significant challenges in reconfiguring their networks. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have diverted flights to nearby Gatwick Airport. International carriers have also been affected; for instance, Qantas Airways redirected its Perth-London flight to Paris, while a United Airlines flight from New York was diverted to Shannon, Ireland. Some transatlantic flights have even turned back mid-air to their points of departure.
The ripple effects of the closure are expected to persist in the coming days. Heathrow’s status as a major global hub means that disruptions there can have cascading impacts on airline operations worldwide. Ian Petchenik, a spokesperson for FlightRadar24, noted, “This is going to disrupt airlines’ operations around the world.”
Passengers currently in transit or those with upcoming flights are experiencing uncertainty. Many are stranded at airports, awaiting updates on rescheduled flights or alternative travel arrangements. The situation has also led to overcrowding at other airports, as diverted flights and rebooked passengers strain existing capacities.
The economic implications of the closure are substantial. Airlines are incurring significant costs due to cancelled flights, fuel expenses from diversions, and accommodations for stranded passengers. Businesses reliant on timely air cargo deliveries are also facing challenges, potentially leading to supply chain disruptions.
Local infrastructure has been affected as well. The power outage resulting from the substation fire has left thousands of homes and businesses in west London without electricity. Utility companies are working to restore power, but the timeline for full restoration remains uncertain.
