Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
Disruptions at Heathrow Airport Due to Fire
LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) – A significant fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, has resulted in thousands of travelers being stranded. As firefighters work to control the situation, many passengers are now seeking alternative means to return home, potentially facing several days of travel disruptions.
The fire has led to the closure of Heathrow as approximately 70 firefighters responded to the incident, which has caused a loss of power both at the airport and its backup systems.
Airlines have warned travelers not to head to the airport while Britain’s energy minister Ed Miliband described the fire as “catastrophic,” indicating that recovery efforts will be lengthy.
At Paddington Station in central London, U.S. traveler Tyler Prieb was attempting to rebook his flight to Nashville, Tennessee. He expressed concern that many others would also need to secure new travel arrangements amid the chaos.
“I’m hoping it only adds a day to my trip back home,” said Prieb, who was in London on business and to reconnect with friends.
More: Heathrow Airport in London closed after electrical substation fire cuts power
Heathrow was scheduled to manage 1,351 flights and serve up to 291,000 passengers that day, creating a significant bottleneck for travel as disruptions ripple outward.
A spokesperson from Heathrow noted that power restoration timelines remained unclear, predicting further substantial disruptions in the days ahead.
John Moriarty, a 75-year-old traveler from the U.S., expressed his anxiety about returning to Boston to see his daughter, who had traveled from New York to visit him. “I’m prepared to wait if needed, though I’d prefer to be home,” he remarked while trying to reach his airline’s customer service.
Experts in travel have indicated that this situation will impact flights on a global scale, as many planes will be out of position due to the closure.
More: Global flight turmoil as London’s Heathrow closed by huge fire
Among those affected is Mahmoud Ali, a 40-year-old employee of Domino’s Pizza in London, who had planned to fly back to Pakistan to reunite with his family for the first time since last summer. “It’s disheartening not knowing when I can get back to them,” he stated.
The fire has also necessitated route changes for incoming flights, leaving many travelers uncertain about their final destinations. Some flights from the U.S. have been forced to turn back mid-air.
Adrian Spender, who was aboard a flight to Heathrow, shared his situation on social media while flying over Austria, unsure of his ultimate destination. “#Heathrow no idea where we are going yet,” he posted.
(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Writing by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Joe Bavier)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heathrow Airport closure: Passengers stranded
Source
www.yahoo.com