On March 21, 2025, Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, had to close temporarily because of a fire at an electrical substation nearby. The fire caused a power outage that led to major disruptions at the airport. The flight shutdown The shutdown lasted until midnight on March 21, affecting thousands of passengers and flights all over the world.
The fire started on the night of March 20 and caused large flames and thick smoke. Due to that the airport’s power supply failed, which stopped flights from taking off or landing.
The London Heathrow airport flights shut down, and around 120 flights heading to Heathrow were diverted to other airports like Gatwick, Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and Shannon Airport in Ireland. 1,351 flights were scheduled for the day, and many had to be cancelled or delayed. The Passengers were helpless as they had no other option but to accept the situation. Also, some flights had to turn back mid-air.
The fire also affected nearby buildings, and around 150 people had to be evacuated for safety. Firefighters worked hard to control the flames, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation. While Heathrow has backup power systems for emergencies, they were not enough to keep the airport open, leading to the closure.
FlightRadar24, a flight tracking service, said the situation at Heathrow would affect airlines worldwide, as the airport is a major hub for international travel. With hundreds of flights cancelled or rerouted, the disruption impacted travellers and passengers around the globe.
British authorities, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have expressed their concern. Miliband said it was too early to know what caused the fire, but there was no evidence of foul play. Starmer thanked emergency workers and acknowledged the problems caused for travellers and residents.
Heathrow officials are working to get things back to normal, but passengers should expect more delays and cancellations in the next few days. The incident has also raised questions about how well the UK’s infrastructure can handle such emergencies with some experts suggesting that guidance improvements are needed to avoid any future disruptions.
In the end, this shutdown at Heathrow highlights how even the busiest airports can be affected by unexpected events and situations. As investigations continue, airlines and airports will likely look for ways to prevent any major disruptions in the future.