Empire State Review Team 
Heathrow Airport Shut Down Amid Power Outage from Nearby Fire
LONDON – Following a fire at an electrical substation located approximately two miles from Heathrow Airport, operations at one of the world’s busiest airports came to a complete halt on Friday. This incident severely disrupted countless flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers.
Overview of the Incident
The power outage was triggered by a fire that broke out late Thursday night. By 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday, firefighters had managed to control the flames, but substantial damage had already been done. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the primary and backup power supplies to the airport were both disabled.
Flight Disruptions
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, over 1,350 flights were impacted by the outage. Some flights that were already en route were diverted to alternative airports, including Gatwick Airport in London, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and Shannon Airport in Ireland.
- At the time of closure, around 120 flights were in the air.
- The airport anticipates continuing disruptions as airlines work to reschedule affected passengers.
Airport’s Response
In the aftermath of the incident, Heathrow Airport announced that it would begin limited operations to accommodate stranded passengers and realign aircraft for further flights. The airport aims to resume full operations by Saturday.
What Remains Unclear
The underlying cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials characterizing the event as “unprecedented.” Meanwhile, travelers have been advised to avoid heading to the airport and to stay in contact with their airlines for updates.
Implications of the Incident
This shutdown comes at a time when Heathrow was experiencing a surge in activity, having its busiest January on record earlier this year with over 6.3 million passengers. Aviation consultant Anita Mendiratta expressed concerns over the potential lengthy ramifications of this closure, signaling that the impact will reverberate for several days during the recovery process.
“The recalibration of operations is expected to be intense as airlines and pilots realign following this disruption,” said Mendiratta.
Response from Authorities
In a statement, Heathrow management communicated their regrets to passengers and highlighted ongoing efforts to restore normal operations. The London Fire Brigade dispatched around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines to tackle the blaze effectively. Approximately 150 residents from nearby homes were also evacuated as a precautionary measure.
