London’s Heathrow Airport has announced its closure until 11:59 PM on March 21 due to a major power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation. The airport authorities confirmed the shutdown on Friday, emphasizing that the measure was necessary to ensure passenger and staff safety.
In a statement posted on X, Heathrow officials said, “Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March.”
Authorities assured passengers that efforts were underway to restore power and resume operations as soon as possible. “We know this will be disappointing for passengers and want to reassure them that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation,” they added. Travelers were advised to avoid heading to the airport and to contact their airlines for flight updates.
Eurocontrol, which oversees air traffic across Europe, reported that all incoming flights to Heathrow had been diverted, and no landings were permitted at the airport. While fire crews have responded to the incident, Heathrow officials told Reuters they could not yet confirm when power would be restored.
The fire broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, West London, affecting not only Heathrow but also thousands of homes in the surrounding area. According to PA Media, the London Fire Brigade deployed 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters to contain the blaze, which originated from a transformer within the substation. Around 150 residents were evacuated from nearby properties as a precaution. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Heathrow was the world’s second-busiest international airport in 2024, following Dubai, according to travel data firm OAG.
