Heathrow Airport has been forced to close for the entire day after a major power outage, triggered by a nearby fire, disrupted operations. The outage has affected critical airport systems, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays. Officials are working to restore power and assess the full impact of the disruption. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates as the situation develops.
Heathrow Airport Shuts Down Following Electrical Substation Fire, Over 1,300 Flights Disrupted
Heathrow Airport will remain closed all day on Friday after a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation caused a widespread power outage, disrupting more than 1,300 flights.
Officials warn that the UK’s busiest airport could face “significant disruption” for days, urging passengers not to travel to the airport under any circumstances. The power outage has also left thousands of homes without electricity, and more than 100 people have been evacuated after a transformer at the North Hyde electrical substation in west London caught fire.
Online flight tracking service FlightRadar24 reported that at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow have been affected, with 120 inbound flights already in the air when the closure was announced. Many flights have since been diverted to alternative airports, including Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Shannon Airport in Ireland.
A Heathrow spokesperson confirmed the airport-wide power outage and stated that, for safety reasons, Heathrow will remain closed until 23:59 on March 21, 2025. Officials have yet to determine when power will be fully restored and are working urgently to resolve the situation.
The London Fire Brigade deployed 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze at the substation in Hayes. Approximately 150 people were evacuated from nearby properties, and a 200-meter safety cordon has been established. Firefighters have warned that the incident is ongoing and that disruptions will likely continue.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police, are actively supporting the response effort. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates and avoid traveling to Heathrow until further notice.