Travelers across the globe are being hit with unprecedented chaos after Heathrow Airport was forced to close for 24 hours due to a devastating fire at a nearby substation.
The closure has led to mid-air flight diversions, cancellations, and significant delays, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded.
Fire Sparks Power Outage and Massive Disruptions
Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, sees over 200,000 travelers passing through each day.
However, on Friday, the airport’s operations were brought to a halt after a fire broke out at an electrical substation, causing a widespread power outage.
The incident caused significant disruption not only at the airport but also to flights already in the air.
Planes Diverted Mid-Flight
FlightRadar data shows that at least 120 flights already airborne had to be diverted or turned back after reaching mid-air.
Flights from major U.S. cities, including Dallas, Chicago, and Minneapolis, were forced to return to their departure points after being in the air for up to three hours.
One flight from Dallas was rerouted to Bangor, Maine, instead of Heathrow.
Flight US 146 from Newark, which was initially scheduled to land at Heathrow, was redirected to Shannon, Ireland.
Meanwhile, a Qantas flight from Perth to Heathrow had to be diverted to Paris, as European airports braced for a surge of flights unable to return to their original destinations.
Other airports in cities like Amsterdam, Newfoundland, and Helsinki are also accepting diverted planes.
Stranded Passengers Around the World
Passengers around the world are anxiously waiting for updates from their airlines.
In Toronto, one traveler tweeted about the uncertainty surrounding his flight to Heathrow, saying, “They don’t have the heart to tell us.”
Other travelers’ flights have been rerouted to other London airports, with British Airways flights from Johannesburg, Lagos, and Cape Town now landing at Gatwick.
A number of flights from major European cities including Paris, Frankfurt, and Zurich have been canceled, and many travelers are left scrambling to make alternative plans.
Firefighters Battle Blaze Amid Ongoing Power Outage
The fire, which broke out at 8 p.m. on Thursday, took six hours for authorities to announce the airport closure.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport confirmed that the closure would last until at least 11:59 p.m. on March 21, 2025, with no indication of when operations might fully resume.
London Fire Brigade has been working tirelessly to control the blaze.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne described the incident as “highly visible and significant,” and emphasized the challenging conditions firefighters were facing.
The fire has affected not only the airport but also nearby homes and businesses, with a 200-meter safety cordon established and 29 people evacuated from surrounding properties.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, though the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Looking Ahead: More Disruption Expected
As the fire continues to burn and efforts to restore power remain underway, the disruption is expected to grow over the coming days.
Heathrow’s spokesperson advised travelers not to attempt to travel to the airport until it reopens, and additional updates will be provided once more information becomes available.
Local residents have also been warned about significant smoke in the area and are advised to keep windows and doors closed.
With the ongoing closure of one of the world’s busiest airports, the ripple effects are being felt worldwide, and travelers are being urged to stay informed and prepared for further delays.