Stay Informed: Major Power Outage Closes London’s Heathrow Airport Following Fire – Live Updates

Warren Hu was ready to fly from New York to London to see his girlfriend when chaos struck. A fire near Heathrow Airport disrupted countless travel plans early Friday morning.

“I’m a bit surprised, but we can find a solution, so I’m trying to stay calm,” he texted from the plane as it prepared to return to the U.S.

Heathrow, one of the busiest airports globally, had to close its doors due to a fire at an electrical substation that cut off power. Authorities informed travelers that the airport would be closed for the entire day, and disruptions might last for days.

Flight schedules showed the impact. Hundreds of flights from countries like Vietnam, Brunei, and India were set to land that morning. Passengers were also awaiting flights to destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, and Miami.

In Shenzhen, Lukas Zou faced uncertainty on his delayed flight to London. Right before boarding, he learned about Heathrow’s shutdown. “With so much luggage, I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. I’ve already booked a hotel room in London that can’t be canceled,” he said. Luckily, the airline arranged accommodations for delayed travelers.

An estimated 290,000 passengers could be affected, according to Cirium, a company focusing on aviation analytics. On Thursday alone, 669 flights were scheduled from Heathrow, making the ripple effect widespread.

British Airways, which operates many flights at Heathrow, had to redirect some planes to other airports in the U.K. As news spread, travelers at Fiumicino Airport in Rome felt the frustration, waiting in long lines at the British Airways counter. High school students from Arizona discovered their connecting flight to Phoenix was canceled after they had already checked in.

Major airlines from North America, Asia, and Australia were also impacted. American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue had to divert or turn back their flights headed for Heathrow. Singapore Airlines and Qantas faced similar issues, with multiple flights returning to their origin points.

This incident highlights how quickly travel plans can change and reminds us that disruptions are an unfortunate reality in air travel. Staying informed and flexible is crucial when plans go awry.

For more details on the ongoing situation at Heathrow and its implications for travelers, check reports from trusted sources like Cirium or BBC News.

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England,Airports