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Heathrow Airport in London is set to remain closed for an entire day following a severe power outage caused by a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation. This incident has resulted in considerable disruptions at one of the busiest airports globally, with numerous flights either being forced to return mid-flight or redirecting to alternative landing locations.
In an announcement made via social media, Heathrow officials explained that the airport’s closure is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and staff following the fire incident. The statement elaborated that they anticipate ongoing disruptions and advised travelers to avoid coming to the airport until further notice.
The fire erupted Thursday night at a transformer located in Hayes, a suburb not far from the airport, as reported by the London Fire Brigade. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, firefighting teams worked diligently through the night to combat the blaze.
Authorities have evacuated approximately 150 residents from the affected area, and more than 16,000 households are reported to have lost power, per utility provider Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.
Social media platforms have been flooded with videos showcasing substantial flames and thick smoke emanating from the site of the fire early Friday morning.
The Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Pat Goulbourne, expressed concerns about the potential for increased disruption throughout the day and urged individuals to steer clear of the area if possible.
In a statement made to CNN, Heathrow Airport recognized the frustration felt by passengers and emphasized their commitment to resolving the situation as efficiently as possible.
Footage shared online indicated that many areas of Heathrow Airport were enveloped in darkness as a result of the outage.
Widespread Impact
The closure is expected to have a ripple effect on tens of thousands of travelers. In 2023, Heathrow was ranked as the fourth-busiest airport worldwide, facilitating a record 83.9 million passengers last year alone.
Heathrow Airport, which spans five terminals and is situated 14 miles outside central London, typically operates at nearly full capacity, handling around 250,000 passengers daily with around 1,300 flights scheduled.
Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas noted that the airport sees a daily influx of hundreds of international flights from regions including the United States, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Estimates from airline analytics company Cirium suggest that upwards of 145,000 travelers might be affected by the current situation.
One traveler, Kim Mikkel Skibrek, who was already three hours into a flight from Minneapolis when the crew announced a return due to the fire, shared his experience. He expressed his initial frustration but noted that passengers became calmer as the situation unfolded. Skibrek is trying to book another flight to reach Oslo to see his sick father.
Another traveler, Abby Hertz, recounted her journey to London for a wedding after previously having to postpone due to Covid. With her husband’s best friend finally set to marry and their son recovering from leukemia, Hertz is now uncertain about their ability to attend the event.
At JFK Airport in New York, passenger Christine described a similar predicament, where her British Airways flight was prepared for departure but went on hold when they learned about Heathrow’s closure. After half an hour of uncertainty, passengers were informed that some flights had already begun to turn back, leaving many stranded on the tarmac.
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 indicated that more than 1,350 flights scheduled to or from Heathrow are likely to be disrupted. Additionally, approximately 120 flights were airborne as the announcement was made, necessitating diversions or returns to their original departure points.
Thomas explained that while shorter domestic flights could feasibly return, long-haul international flights do not have that luxury, leading to additional complications with diverted flights being sent to London’s other airports, which are likely at or near capacity already. Some flexibility may lead these flights further afield, perhaps to airports like Glasgow or Edinburgh.
However, smaller airports may lack the infrastructure and resources necessary to manage the influx of additional passengers, compounding the problem.
As fire services work to control the situation and authorities manage the fallout, questions about the resilience of crucial services and backup systems at such an important transportation hub are likely to arise.
This story is ongoing and may be updated as more information becomes available.
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