A major fire at an electricity substation near Heathrow Airport has forced a complete shutdown of one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and disrupting over 1,300 flights.
The London Fire Brigade described the incident as a “prolonged emergency”, warning of continued disruptions for nearby residents. According to flight analytics firm Cirium, the shutdown could impact upwards of 145,000 passengers, with major international flights from cities such as Singapore, Seoul, and Perth affected.
Widespread Flight Disruptions
Heathrow Airport has urged passengers “not to travel under any circumstances until operations resume.” Flights already in the air were forced to reroute or return to their departure points, with 21 scheduled departures from New York’s JFK Airport among those affected.
One traveler, Kim Mikkel Skibrek, was three hours into his Delta Air Lines flight to London when the crew announced they had to turn back to Minneapolis. “People were frustrated but have now calmed down,” he said.
Similarly, Abby Hertz, traveling to London for a wedding with her family, had her flight diverted. “Our son had leukemia and is now in remission, so we’re finally attending this wedding. Thankfully, Delta rebooked us, and we might just make it!” she shared.
Ongoing Battle to Contain the Fire
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has left thousands of homes without power. Station Commander Paul Morgan stated, “The substation remains ablaze, and we are working to isolate electricity before tackling the fire with foam.”
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas criticized Heathrow’s lack of backup power, emphasizing the need for contingency plans. “You are a major global hub—this affects the UK economy. There must be a Plan B,” he said.
With Heathrow operating at 99% capacity, the disruption has overwhelmed nearby airports like Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester, struggling to accommodate diverted flights.
Authorities are assessing damage and working to restore power, but no official timeline has been given for the airport’s reopening.
