London’s Heathrow Airport closure sparks global travel chaos

The closure of London’s Heathrow Airport due to a large fire that knocked out power disrupted international travel, with more than 100 flights affected.

“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage,” the airport posted Friday morning on the social platform X. The statement added that the airport would be closed until midnight local time.

Heathrow hours later announced the resumption of flights in a post on X.

“Our teams have worked tirelessly since the incident to ensure a speedy recovery. We’re now safely able to restart flights, prioritising repatriation and relocation of aircraft,” officials said, adding they were hoping for full operations on Saturday.

Heathrow initially said the closure would affect travel in the upcoming days, and the repercussions of the incident were being felt globally. By midday local time Friday, more than 100 flights had been redirected or canceled, according to flight-tracking websites.

The airport was anticipating incoming flights from various cities, including Sydney, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Johannesburg, New York, Miami and many others Friday.

Heathrow Airport ranks as the fourth-busiest airport in the world, according to the latest statistics from 2023, and welcomed an unprecedented 83.9 million passengers last year.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was in “close contact” with partners on the ground over the fire and power outage near the airport.

“I know the situation in Heathrow is causing distress and disruption, especially for those travelling or without power in their homes,” Starmer said in a post.

“I’m receiving regular updates and I’m in close contact with partners on the ground,” Starmer said. “Thanks to our emergency workers for keeping people safe.”

CNN reported that London’s counterterrorism police were leading the inquiry into the fire at an electrical substation “given the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure.”

Residents in West London reported hearing a significant explosion, followed by a fireball and plumes of smoke, as a fire engulfed the electrical substation.

At the time of the incident, approximately 120 flights were airborne, leading to some being rerouted to Gatwick Airport outside London, Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Shannon Airport in Ireland, according to tracking services.

Updated at 12:58 p.m. EDT