LONDON (AP) — A fire at a substation near Heathrow Airport caused major disruptions on Friday, leading to the cancellation of flights and impacting travel plans for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Let’s break down what happened and how it affected air travel.
A fire broke out late Thursday at an electrical substation about 2 miles from Heathrow, leading to a significant power outage. The airport closed its doors until late Friday to ensure safety. The London Fire Brigade responded rapidly, deploying 10 fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters to the scene. Fortunately, the fire has been contained.
U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the incident as “catastrophic,” noting that it took out not just the main power supply but also a backup generator. The National Grid reported damage at the substation and is working to restore full power. By Friday afternoon, local communities had their power back.
What caused the fire?
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and officials stated there are no indications of foul play. However, the Metropolitan Police have brought in counterterrorism detectives to assess the situation due to its impact on essential infrastructure. Miliband expressed concerns regarding the resilience of the U.K.’s critical systems, especially since this kind of event can expose vulnerabilities in the country’s infrastructure.
How was Heathrow affected?
This disruption impacted around 200,000 travelers expected to pass through Heathrow on Friday alone. Airlines advised passengers to avoid heading to the airport and to check on rebooking flights. Many planes that were already in the air had to turn back or were diverted to other airports across Europe, including Schiphol in Amsterdam and Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
Thousands of short-haul flights were also affected. Moreover, about 4,000 tons of cargo were left stranded due to the airport closure, significantly impacting businesses reliant on timely deliveries, according to aviation consultant Anita Mendiratta.
How long will the disruptions last?
Even if Heathrow reopens soon, disruptions could last for days. Airlines will need time to reposition planes and staff and to accommodate canceled flights. Mendiratta estimates that clearing the backlog could take between two to four days. The focus will be on assessing damage to electrical systems and managing the logistics of moving passengers and crew.
What’s the bigger picture?
This event raises critical questions about the U.K.’s resilience to potential attacks or natural disasters that could damage essential infrastructure. With recent security warnings about Russia’s activity in Europe, experts like Alan Mendoza highlight the urgency of fortifying U.K. systems to better withstand future disruptions. Current systems are not sufficiently robust, indicating a need for stronger regulatory measures.
Robin Potter from Chatham House points out that past recommendations to enhance U.K. infrastructure resilience have not been adequately addressed by the government. An ongoing review is expected to tackle these pressing issues, but many advocates argue for immediate actions to strengthen defenses against unforeseen events.
How big is Heathrow?
Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe, with over 83 million passengers traveling through it last year. Its closure significantly impacts both domestic and international travel, making it a key hub for air traffic worldwide.
Does London have other airports?
Yes, London is served by several other airports, including Gatwick, which is the second-largest and managed about 43 million passengers last year. However, these airports are much smaller than Heathrow and cannot fully compensate for its capacity and connections.
This fire not only disrupted travel for thousands but also highlighted critical vulnerabilities in the U.K.’s infrastructure. As discussions continue among experts and officials, the goal will be to ensure a quicker recovery should another unforeseen event occur in the future.
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Source linkEurope, London, Fires, Aviation safety, General news, Alan Mendoza, World news, Charles de Gaulle, Business, Anita Mendiratta, Robin Potter, Ed Miliband
