Heathrow Airport Shutdown: Operations Suspended, Advisory Issued - Know Details

London: One of the world's busiest aviation hubs, Heathrow Airport, is currently facing a massive power outage. The disruption stems from a fire at an electrical substation that supplies power to the airport. As a result, Heathrow has announced a complete suspension of operations until 23:59 on 21 March to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.

Heathrow Airport Fire    

Around 150 people were evacuated after a transformer within an electrical substation caught fire in west London around 11.23 pm on March 20. The incident has since left the Heathrow airport and nearby homes out of power. 

Heathrow Airport Shutdown  

The outage has left thousands of travellers in limbo, with flights grounded and airport services brought to a standstill. After the sudden closure, Heathrow airport authorities have urged passengers to refrain from travelling to the airport and to contact their respective airlines for further information on flight schedules and rebooking options.

Heathrow Airport Official Statement

"Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience."

The power outage has not only disrupted flight operations but has also led to challenges in passenger movement, baggage handling, and terminal services. While the airport's operations teams are coordinating with the airlines to manage the situation.

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Travellers are advised to stay updated through official channels and to explore alternative travel arrangements where possible. Airlines are expected to provide additional support to affected passengers, including rebooking services, accommodations, and refunds where applicable.

As authorities work to restore daily airport operations, the incident sets an alarming call to prioritise infrastructure safety and preparedness in the aviation sector.