A major fire near London’s Heathrow Airport caused a significant power outage, leading to the airport’s closure and affecting thousands of travelers. The incident occurred on Friday and resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights, including many to and from Canada.
Air Canada announced that they would resume their flights to London-Heathrow starting Friday evening, after having canceled seven flights the previous day. A spokesperson urged travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. WestJet also had to cancel two flights due to the outage, while Air Transat, which operates out of Gatwick Airport, reported no disruptions.
The fire, which broke out at an electrical substation about two miles from the airport, knocked out power and forced Heathrow to close for the day. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, but there is currently no evidence suggesting foul play. The London Fire Brigade managed to control the blaze after seven hours, but the impact on air travel is expected to last several days as airlines work to reschedule flights and reposition aircraft.
At least 1,350 flights were affected, and many passengers found themselves stranded or diverted to other airports, including Gatwick and Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Some travelers reported confusion and frustration as they tried to find alternative routes home.
Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world and had seen record passenger numbers earlier this year. However, this incident has created a significant backlog that will take time to resolve. Experts predict that the disruption will continue for two to four days as airlines and crews adjust to the changes.
Passengers are advised to stay updated on their flight statuses and not to travel to the airport until it officially reopens. The situation is evolving, and travelers should remain patient as the airline industry works through the aftermath of this unexpected event.