Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest aviation hub, will remain closed all day Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation caused a major power outage.
This unexpected incident has left more than 4,900 homes without power and forced the evacuation of 150 people from surrounding properties in Hayes, west London.
The airport has warned of “significant disruption” over the coming days and advised passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens.
Heathrow’s Flight Cancellations and Wider Impact
At least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow could be canceled on Friday, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. The disruption is expected to have a ripple effect, impacting flights across Europe and beyond.
Transport correspondent Sean Fillet reported that some passengers ignored advice to stay away and were turned back on the bridge leading to the closed airport. The skies above Heathrow remain eerily silent, with nearly zero air traffic.
Passenger Chaos and Media Attention
Despite warnings, some passengers arrived at Heathrow, only to be turned away. The scene at the airport is unprecedented, with media helicopters circling overhead to capture the rare sight of an empty Heathrow.
The last time Heathrow experienced a full closure was in 2010, highlighting the severity of the current situation.
