Heathrow Airport has suspended all operations until midnight following a major power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in West London. The disruption has grounded flights, stranded thousands of passengers, and triggered a ripple effect across Europe’s aviation network.
Power Cut Forces Full Heathrow Airport Closure
A fire broke out at a substation in Hayes, West London, late on 20 March. The transformer fire knocked out power to key infrastructure at Heathrow, affecting lighting, security systems, check-in desks, and baggage handling at all terminals.
Heathrow confirmed the shutdown in a 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 23:59 on 21 March.”
Fire at Hayes Substation Leaves Thousands Without Power
London Fire Brigade deployed 10 engines and 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze on Nestles Avenue. The fire left over 16,000 homes and businesses in Hayes and Hounslow without electricity. Emergency services established a 200-metre safety cordon, evacuating nearly 150 residents.
Flights Diverted Across UK and Europe
With no power in terminals, dozens of inbound flights are being diverted. The first confirmed diversion was Qantas flight QF9 from Perth, which landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Over 80 aircraft are currently airborne and seeking alternative landing options.
Airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa are working to rebook affected travellers. Severe delays and cancellations are expected across the network.
Passengers Told NOT to Travel
Travellers are being urged not to go to Heathrow Airport today. Heathrow, airlines, and National Rail are advising passengers to check for updates before leaving home.
Advice for Passengers:
- Do NOT travel to Heathrow today (21 March)
- Contact your airline for updates, refunds, or rebooking
- Follow Heathrow’s website and social media channels for real-time information
Ongoing Response
Heathrow says it is working with emergency teams and power providers to restore services.
