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Heathrow Airport Reopens After Substation Fire Causes Major Disruption

The fire near London Heathrow disrupted over 1,350 flights, stranded 200,000 passengers, and exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

This photo provided by London Fire Brigade, shows a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation, which caught fire Thursday night and lead to a closure of Heathrow Airport in London, Friday.
A plane is prepared whilst another airplane approaches landing at Heathrow Airport after a fire at an electrical substation shuttered Europe's busiest air travel hub in London, Friday, March 21, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
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Overview

  • A fire at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes caused a power outage that shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly 18 hours on Friday, March 21, 2025.
  • The incident forced the cancellation or diversion of over 1,350 flights, affecting an estimated 200,000 passengers globally and stranding many in alternate locations.
  • Full operations resumed Saturday, March 22, but airlines and passengers face ongoing disruptions as planes and crews are repositioned.
  • Authorities confirmed no evidence of foul play, with investigations focusing on the electrical distribution equipment at the substation.
  • The event has raised concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure and the adequacy of contingency plans at one of the world's busiest airports.