Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest, shut down for 24 hours on Friday after a major fire caused a power outage. The fire, which broke out at an electricity substation, disrupted operations, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers.

Power Outage and Airport Closure

Heathrow’s airport operator confirmed the closure would last until just before midnight Friday (23:59 GMT). They advised passengers not to travel until the airport reopens. FlightRadar24 reported that at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow were affected. Around 120 flights had already been airborne when the closure was announced.

Fire and Emergency Response

The London Fire Brigade quickly responded with 10 fire engines and about 70 firefighters. They battled the fire at the substation in Hayes, a nearby town. Approximately 150 people from nearby homes were evacuated. Social media images showed thick smoke and large flames coming from the substation.

Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said, “Our firefighters are working tirelessly in difficult conditions.” He added that the fire also caused power cuts to local homes and businesses. The British utility company, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, confirmed that more than 16,000 homes lost power.

Impact on Air Travel

Heathrow handles over 80 million passengers annually. On average, 1,300 flights take off or land each day. The power outage caused widespread disruptions. Seven United Airlines flights returned to their original airports or diverted to others. Qantas also diverted two flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. All flights departing from Heathrow on Friday were cancelled.

Ongoing Efforts and Challenges

Emergency teams continue to work to minimize disruptions. Inside the terminals, videos showed empty corridors and closed shops. The only lighting available came from emergency lights. Authorities expect the disruption to last for several days as recovery efforts continue.

Despite plans for a third runway by 2035, Heathrow struggles with capacity issues. The UK government had approved this expansion due to the increasing congestion. The airport currently has two long runways, but they are under significant strain.

Heathrow’s Legacy and Global Importance

Opened in 1946 as London Airport, Heathrow has become a key global hub. Located 25 kilometers west of central London, it serves 200 destinations in over 80 countries. Major destinations include New York, Madrid, Los Angeles, and Dublin. This recent disruption highlights the ongoing challenges of managing one of the world’s busiest airports.