Information
A massive fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, near Heathrow Airport, caused a complete shutdown of one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. The fire broke out late Thursday night, knocking out power not only to the airport but also to thousands of homes and businesses in the area. Heathrow officials announced the airport would remain closed until at least 11:59 PM on March 21, advising passengers to contact their airlines for further updates. Firefighters worked overnight to contain the blaze, while authorities, including counterterrorism detectives, launched an investigation into its cause. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the situation as catastrophic, with Miliband noting that the backup power system also failed, exacerbating the crisis.
The shutdown led to significant disruptions in global air travel, with at least 120 aircraft forced to divert or return to their points of origin. Flights from major cities like New York, Perth, Lagos, and Singapore were rerouted to alternative airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Shannon, and Gatwick. Willie Walsh, head of IATA, criticized Heathrow for what he called a “clear planning failure,” questioning why such a crucial transportation hub depended on a single power source without a reliable backup. Meanwhile, around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines battled the blaze, while emergency teams worked to restore power to affected residents and businesses.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
This situation is catastrophic for Heathrow, London, and the UK as a whole. It will likely have significant short-term effects on travel, tourism, and the economy. Furthermore, it could potentially impact airline confidence in the airport in the medium term. Although there is currently minimal information available, it is possible that this incident was not an accident and may be part of Russia’s grey zone operations against Ukraine’s supporters.
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