Heathrow CEO Faces MPs' Questions After Power Outage Disrupted 270,000 Passengers

Reports reveal Heathrow was warned of power vulnerabilities days before the outage, intensifying scrutiny of its crisis management and infrastructure resilience.

On March 21, 2025, a fire at the North Hyde substation caused a power outage that shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly 18 hours.
The outage disrupted over 270,000 passenger journeys, with airlines raising concerns about Heathrow's crisis response and operational decisions.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye will testify before the Transport Select Committee, addressing why alternative power sources were not utilized sooner and the airport's reliance on a single power source.
New reports indicate Heathrow was warned of power supply risks days before the outage, including theft incidents that previously disrupted runway operations.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, including a government-ordered review by the National Energy System Operator and an internal review led by Ruth Kelly, with findings expected within six weeks.