London Heathrow Airport Shuts Down After Power Outage, Fire
A fire at an electrical substation caused a power outage at Heathrow Airport, forcing a shutdown until Friday midnight. Check flight updates and diversions.
image for illustrative purpose
London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, has been shut down due to a power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in West London. The airport will remain closed until 11:59 p.m. local time on March 21, authorities confirmed.
A Heathrow spokesperson stated that emergency crews are actively working to restore power, but a timeline for full resumption remains uncertain. Eurocontrol, Europe’s air traffic management agency, confirmed that no flights are currently permitted to land at Heathrow, with aircraft being diverted to alternative airports.
Approximately 120 aircraft in transit to Heathrow were rerouted to airports such as London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and others in Ireland and Canada. According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, at least 1,351 flights are expected to be affected by the closure, including delays, cancellations, and diversions.
Air India has announced a suspension of its operations to and from Heathrow until the airport reopens. Singapore Airlines canceled its next scheduled flight from Changi Airport to London, while several other carriers have adjusted their schedules in response to the disruption.
The power failure originated from a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, a West London district near Heathrow. Over 150 people were evacuated from the area as firefighters battled the flames. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reported that the outage has impacted more than 16,300 homes, leaving many residents without power.
London Fire Brigade received nearly 200 emergency calls related to the fire. Multiple units from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, and Southall were dispatched to contain the situation. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The airport’s closure has caused significant disruption to passengers, with thousands stranded and airlines struggling to manage operational challenges. Travel industry analysts warn that the effects of the shutdown will likely continue for several days as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crews.
“Heathrow is a key hub for international travel. The inability to land and take off from the airport means a ripple effect of disruptions worldwide,” said Henry Harteveldt, an industry expert from Atmosphere Research Group. “Passengers should expect continued delays and rebookings.”
Heathrow Airport officials have advised travelers to avoid heading to the airport and to check with their airlines for the latest updates. The airport continues to coordinate with emergency responders and power authorities to assess when operations can safely resume.
