Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest aviation hub, has announced that it will remain closed for the entire day due to a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes, West London. The incident has led to widespread power outages, causing huge disruptions to global air travel.
The fire broke out late Thursday night at the North Hyde substation in Hayes, resulting in a substantial power outage that affected the airport, alongside approximately 16,300 homes and businesses in the area. Emergency services responded promptly, deploying ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze.
As a result of the power outage, Heathrow Airport announced an immediate shutdown of all operations until 23:59 GMT on 21 March. This unprecedented closure has led to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide.
Flights en route to Heathrow were diverted to alternative airports, including Gatwick (UK), Charles de Gaulle (France), Shannon (Ireland), and Goose Bay (Canada).
Train services to and from Heathrow, including the Heathrow Express and parts of the Elizabeth line, have also been suspended due to the proximity of the fire to railway infrastructure.
Passengers scheduled to fly to or from Heathrow today are being advised to check with their airlines for the latest information and make alternative travel arrangements where possible. Airlines are responsible for providing assistance, including accommodation and meals, to affected passengers.
