London Heathrow Closed After Power Outage: What It Means for Travelers
The airport closes after a substation fire, canceling over 1,300 flights and stranding thousands as disruptions ripple across the world
Photo: London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5. Photo. Courtesy of BAA Airports Limited.
A massive fire at an electrical substation near London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has forced the world’s fourth busiest airport to shut down for the entire day, causing severe disruption to thousands of travelers around the globe.
The incident, which occurred in Hayes, in west London, has left nearly 5,000 homes without power and prompted the evacuation of around 150 residents. Schools in the area have also been closed as a safety measure.
The power meltdown has forced incoming flights to divert, with most of the North American flights returning to their departing gateway.
1,351 Flights Affected
According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, a total of 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow will be impacted on Friday. This includes both arriving and departing flights, with 120 aircraft already in the air at the time of the closure announcement.
Heathrow Airport handled a staggering 83.9 million passengers last year, averaging around 220,000 travelers per day.
Aircraft getting the news that Heathrow is closed. pic.twitter.com/ky9BrxGPL6
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 21, 2025
“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23:59 on 21 March 2025,” a Heathrow spokesperson said.
“We know this will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation. Our teams are in constant coordination with emergency services and power suppliers to assess the timeline for reopening.”
Flights Diverted Worldwide
Flights originally bound for Heathrow have been diverted to airports across Europe, including Manchester in the UK, Madrid, Paris, and Shannon, Ireland.
Manchester Airport alone received five diverted flights and stated that no additional diversions were expected.
Photo: London Heathrow Airport. Courtesy of BAA Airports Limited.
“The diverted flights were ones that were already in the air, so that’s a diminishing number,” said Manchester Airport spokesperson Michael Murphy-Pyle. “We are used to handling unexpected diversions and our ground staff are well-equipped to assist passengers who have landed here instead of their intended destination.”
Other major airports in Europe have also stepped in to manage the influx of diverted flights. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol have activated contingency plans to accommodate additional aircraft, while Shannon Airport confirmed it had received multiple transatlantic diversions.
London Mayor Warns of Prolonged Disruption
London Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the significant impact of the incident. “Heathrow Airport has warned of significant disruption over the coming days,” Khan said. “I’d like to thank the emergency services who have been working hard overnight to tackle the fire, and I remain in close contact with them. Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries.”
“I know this will be hugely frustrating for the many thousands expecting to travel to and from Heathrow today, the families who have had their power cut, and the commuters who have had their journeys disrupted. Emergency responders have done an incredible job containing the situation, and efforts to restore power are ongoing.”
Airlines Offer Flexible Options
Airlines operating at Heathrow have implemented flexible rebooking policies to accommodate affected passengers. Virgin Atlantic, one of Heathrow’s largest operators, advised travelers not to proceed to the airport and outlined options for rescheduling or requesting refunds.
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) March 21, 2025
“You can choose to be rebooked onto the next available flight, reschedule your journey for a later date, or change your destination within our direct network,“ Virgin Atlantic said in a statement. “If you no longer wish to travel, you may also request a refund. Our customer service teams are working around the clock to assist all affected travelers.”
British Airways also warned of a “significant impact“ on its operations, with customers urged to await further updates before making their way to the airport.
A statement from British Airways following the disruption at London Heathrow Airport on 21 March pic.twitter.com/WGUZiBbJ9n
— British Airways (@British_Airways) March 21, 2025
“This will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers,“ a British Airways spokesperson said. “We’re working as quickly as possible to update them on their travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond. Our commitment remains to ensure our passengers receive the most accurate and timely information.”
Ryanair Launches Rescue Flights
In response to the disruption, Ryanair has introduced eight rescue flights to assist stranded passengers. The low-cost carrier is operating two Dublin to Stansted and two Stansted to Dublin flights on both Friday and Saturday.
Photo: Ryanair, Boeing 737-800. Courtesy of Portuguese Gravity / Unsplash
“We understand how stressful unexpected disruptions can be,“ Ryanair said. “Our goal is to provide swift solutions for passengers needing to reach their destinations. We encourage travelers to check our website for the latest updates.”
Power Restoration Efforts
Emergency crews responded to the substation fire at 23:23 GMT, with video footage shared on social media showing flames and thick smoke. While the fire has been extinguished, the cause remains under investigation. Authorities have described the damage as extensive, and repairs could take several days.
Electricity suppliers are working to restore power to the affected homes.
“Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored,” Heathrow’s spokesperson added. “We remain committed to providing passengers with regular updates.”
Travelers Advised to Stay Updated
Passengers scheduled to travel through Heathrow are urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates and avoid traveling to the airport until further notice. The airport’s link to central London, including the fast train Heathrow Express, will remain inoperative until further notice, the airport said.
With significant disruption expected over the next few days, Heathrow’s closure will likely have a ripple effect on air travel across Europe and beyond.
Travelers should monitor airline websites and social media channels for further announcements and consider alternative travel arrangements if possible. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
