A fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport has caused an unprecedented shutdown of the United Kingdom's busiest air hub, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers and disrupting international air travel.
The incident at Heathrow, the world's fifth-busiest airport, comes just as many Americans travel for spring break. Heathrow airport delays could leave some travelers in the United States scrambling to figure out their next steps.
Why It Matters
The shutdown at Heathrow adds pressure on congested air travel systems around the world. Heathrow was scheduled to handle 1,351 flights carrying up to 291,000 passengers on Friday alone, according to Reuters.
"This is an extreme situation where the entire aviation ecosystem is impacted," Anita Mendiratta, an aviation consultant, told the Associated Press.
A fire at a nearby substation forces Heathrow Airport to close, disrupting 1,300+ flights and affecting over 100,000 passengers worldwide.A fire at a nearby substation forces Heathrow Airport to close, disrupting 1,300+ flights and affecting over 100,000 passengers worldwide.London Fire Brigade
What Happened at Heathrow Airport?
A fire broke out at a substation near Heathrow Airport late Thursday, Reuters reported. The incident triggered a "significant power outage" that knocked out the entire airport's main and backup power systems, forcing a full-day closure.
"The fire has caused a widespread power outage, affecting many homes, local businesses, and Heathrow Airport," Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the London Fire Brigade said in a statement published by Fox Business.
When Will Service Resume at Heathrow?
On March 21, Heathrow Airport stated that it "doesn't know when power will be restored," the Associated Press reported, and expects disruptions for days.
British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the fire "catastrophic," acknowledging that it also disabled the backup power system.
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What Are the Busiest Airports in the US?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration's May 2024 Air Traffic Report, six of the busiest airports in the FAA's Core 30 Airports category, based on the sum of the number of airport arrivals and departures, include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Disruptions at Heathrow could strain U.S. facilities, especially at international terminals where connecting flights may now see an influx of rerouted travelers.
What Happens Next
Authorities in London are investigating the root cause of the fire. While police said there was "no suggestion" of foul play, Reuters reported that counterterrorism officers were leading the probe due to the nature of the infrastructure.
Heathrow's closure is likely to affect global flight schedules and logistics networks into early next week.
