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London Heathrow Airport Closed Due To Power Outage Caused By A Major Fire; 1,351 Flights Affected

A major power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation has shut down London’s Heathrow Airport and left over 16,000 homes without electricity.

by Tashika Tyagi
London Heathrow Airport Closed Due To Power Outage Caused By A Major Fire; 1,351 Flights Affected

London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, is shut down till midnight. This is because the airport suffered a major power failure due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the facility. Not just the airport but more than 16,000 homes in the area were left without electricity after the fire broke out.

London Heathrow Airport Shut Down For The Day

Heathrow Airport in London will remain closed throughout Friday. The airport authorities took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that “Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage” due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport. So, to maintain the safety of passengers and people working at the airport, they have decided to shut it down till midnight on March 21. They also advised passengers “not to travel to the airport” and “contact their airline for further information.”

Following this, major airlines like British Airways, Emirates, and Air India also announced that all the flights to London’s Heathrow Airport for Friday have been cancelled. British Airways added that they are “looking for travel options for the next 24 hours and beyond” for passenger convenience.

According to the Economic Times, at least 120 flights were diverted mid-air to alternative locations. Overall, almost 1,351 flights were cancelled at London’s Heathrow Airport on March 21 due to airport closure.

Also Read: From 24 London Flights To 5 Zurich Flights Weekly, Air India Announces Additional Frequencies On These Key Routes

Fire Causes Power Outage In The Area

While Heathrow Airport has been shut down due to a power outage, more than 16,000 homes in the western part of London were left without electricity. According to local media reports, over 150 people were also evacuated after the fire broke out.

The blaze was active till 11:34 AM (India time) and the London Fire Brigade had deployed 10 fire engines, around 70 firefighters, and a 200-metre safety cordon to douse the fire. Residents in London’s Hillingdon borough were told to stay inside and keep doors and windows closed because of the smoke.

Also Read: ‘UK Is A Trap For Students!’ Indian PhD Student’s Post Goes Viral

If you’re planning to travel to or from London soon, then please stay updated on all the latest developments. Check airport and airline updates regularly to ensure seamless travel.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/Taymur959 & Canva (representative image)

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First Published: March 21, 2025 2:17 PM