Heathrow Airport Closure Causes Major Flight Disruptions

London's Heathrow sees more than 1,300 flights disrupted as authorities respond to power outage caused by a nearby fire.

At least 1,300 flights were impacted on Friday due to a dramatic shutdown of London’s Heathrow Airport, following a significant fire that triggered a power outage nearby. As Europe’s busiest airport faces the fallout, airlines are bracing for ongoing cancellations and delays, further complicating travel plans on a day when around 220,000 passengers were expected to transit through the airport, according to the flight tracking service FlightRadar24.

Heathrow officials announced that the airport would remain closed until 11:59 p.m. Friday, expressing their understanding of the disappointment such a closure brings to travelers. “We know this will be disappointing for passengers, and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation,” a spokesperson stated.

Travelers affected by the disruption have been advised against proceeding to the airport. Police were actively redirecting those attempting to reach Heathrow, while the surrounding area faced significant traffic delays. Most airlines have provided updates regarding affected flights and the process for rebooking through their websites and social media platforms, ensuring travelers have access to the latest information amid the chaos created by the airport closure.