Heathrow Airport reopens after massive power outage caused by substation fire
PTC Web Desk: Heathrow Airport resumed operations late Friday after an 18-hour shutdown caused by a fire at an electrical substation, which led to a major power outage. The disruption forced the temporary closure of Europe’s busiest airport, affecting thousands of travellers worldwide.
FlightRadar24, a flight tracking service, reported that at least 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were impacted, with delays and rescheduling expected to continue for days as airlines reorganise operations.
The fire broke out near the airport on Friday morning, leading to a massive explosion and thick plumes of smoke, according to witnesses in West London. The authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but there is no indication of foul play, confirmed Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The Metropolitan Police’s Counterterrorism Unit has taken charge of the investigation, citing their expertise in assessing incidents that impact critical national infrastructure.
At the time of the closure, around 120 flights were in the air en route to Heathrow. Several were forced to turn back or divert to alternative airports, including Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Shannon in Ireland.
Severe disruptions expected for days
Despite Heathrow’s backup power supply functioning as designed, it proved insufficient to keep the entire airport running, leading to a complete halt in operations. The airport authority has warned passengers to avoid travelling to Heathrow until further notice due to ongoing disruptions.
The closure comes just months after Heathrow reported its busiest January on record, handling 6.3 million passengers—a 5% increase from the previous year.
Although the shutdown was not as catastrophic as the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption, which grounded flights for months due to ash clouds, Friday’s events have raised concerns about Britain’s preparedness for emergencies. Critics argue that a single fire should not have the power to shut down a major international hub.
The authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the long-term impact of the disruption on air travel.
- With inputs from agencies
