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Heathrow Airport Shutdown: Power Outage Causes Widespread Chaos
A major fire at a nearby electrical substation plunged Heathrow Airport into darkness on March 21st, 2025, causing a complete shutdown of the UK's busiest airport. The unprecedented power outage resulted in the cancellation or diversion of over 1,350 flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers worldwide. This article details the impact of the incident and offers advice for affected travellers.
The Impact of the Power Outage
The fire, which broke out late on March 20th, caused a significant power outage affecting not only Heathrow but also over 16,000 homes in the surrounding area. The ensuing airport closure led to widespread disruption, forcing airlines like Air India to cancel numerous flights to and from London Heathrow, while others diverted to alternative airports such as Gatwick, Frankfurt, and Paris. The incident highlights the vulnerability of major aviation hubs to infrastructure failures.
Advice for Travellers
Heathrow Airport remains closed until further notice. Passengers are strongly advised to avoid travelling to the airport and to contact their respective airlines for updates on flight status and rebooking options. London Gatwick is currently accepting diverted flights.
Looking Ahead
While engineers work to restore power, the full extent of the disruption remains uncertain. The airport expects significant delays for several days. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of large-scale infrastructure failures on global air travel. Stay updated via official Heathrow Airport channels for the latest information.
