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Heathrow Airport Shutdown Disrupts Global Travel Due to Fire
Heathrow Airport, the world’s fourth busiest, is closed until 11:59 PM GMT on Friday after a significant fire caused a power outage, leading to substantial disruptions for travelers and airlines alike.
On March 21, 2025, Heathrow Airport was forced to shut down operations after a major fire at an electrical substation near the facility led to power loss across the area. As a result, the airport will remain closed all day Friday, creating a travel crisis for approximately 200,000 passengers and affecting around 1,300 flights. The closure was announced just after the fire was brought under control, but officials stated that the timeline for power restoration remains unclear.
Impact of the Shutdown
- Approximately 200,000 passengers affected
- 1,300 flights grounded
- Record-setting February 2025 with 5.7 million travelers
- Heathrow saw an all-time high of 83.9 million passengers in 2024
Official Statements on the Incident
A Heathrow spokesperson commented, “Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we made the decision to close Heathrow until 23:59 on March 21.”
The spokesperson also urged travelers to avoid heading to the airport: “We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”
Details of the Fire Incident
The fire erupted at an electrical substation in Hayes, West London late Thursday evening, and it was brought under control by 6:28 AM GMT on Friday. Local residents in the area were evacuated as a precautionary measure following the incident.
This ongoing situation will be updated as more information becomes available.
Conclusion
The unexpected closure of Heathrow Airport highlights the vulnerability of global travel infrastructure to unforeseen events. Travelers are advised to stay informed and check the status of their flights regularly while the airport navigates this disruption.
Keywords: Heathrow Airport, airport shutdown, travel disruptions, global travel, flight cancellations, electrical substation fire, passenger impact
Hashtags: #HeathrowAirport #TravelNews #FlightUpdate #AirlineDisruption #TravelAdvice
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