A fire at an electrical substation in London has caused widespread disruption at Heathrow Airport, with more than 1,350 flights being impacted. The fire, which occurred at a transformer within the substation, resulted in a power outage that led to the airport shutting down for an entire day. As a consequence, numerous flights were diverted, and many, including several United Airlines flights, were canceled. Some incoming flights from the US were even forced to turn back mid-air.
The London Fire Brigade responded promptly to the blaze, sending 10 fire engines and about 70 firefighters to the scene. While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, the flames have also caused power outages affecting over 16,300 homes in the surrounding area.
In response to the emergency, Heathrow advised passengers not to travel to the airport, expecting significant disruption in the coming days. Other major airlines, including British Airways, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic, have also faced major challenges as they scrambled to reschedule and reallocate their aircraft and crew.
The power failure has caused a ripple effect throughout the aviation industry, further compounding the issues faced by travelers. The airport’s closure highlights how vulnerable large transportation hubs can be to such unforeseen events, with safety taking precedence.
