UK's Most Active Airport Closes
Heathrow Airport in London has experienced a blackout due to a significant fire at an electrical substation in West London late Thursday, resulting in the cancellation or diversion of over 200 flights. The airport, which typically manages around...

The airport, which typically manages around 1,000 flights daily, is expected to remain closed until 11:59 PM local time on Friday night due to the “significant power outage.” Passengers have been advised to refrain from coming to the airport and to reach out to their airlines for more information, as indicated in a message from the airport on X.
The London Fire Brigade reported that the fire at the Hayes electrical substation has impacted “many homes and local businesses.” Firefighters were still working to control the blaze as of 5:55 AM, with part of a transformer unit still ignited, according to an early morning update on X.
“As we head into the morning, disruption is expected to increase, and we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible,” the fire service warned. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 has estimated that the airport’s forced shutdown will disrupt at least 1,351 flights. Numerous flights have been redirected to airports in Ireland, France, and the Netherlands, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. British Airways is actively informing travelers about their options for the next 24 hours and beyond, as Heathrow serves as BA’s primary hub.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this article for TROIB News
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