Heathrow Airport Closure Disrupts 37 India-UK Flights
Operations at London’s Heathrow Airport came to a sudden halt following a major fire at a nearby power substation, severely impacting global travel routes, including 37 flights operating between India and the UK. The fire triggered a large-scale power outage, prompting the airport to announce a temporary shutdown of all flight operations until late Friday night.
Fire Causes Massive Power Outage
The disruption began when a fire broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation located in west London. The blaze led to a widespread power cut affecting thousands of households and crippling critical airport systems. Firefighters battled the flames through the night, eventually bringing it under control by the early hours of Friday. However, the extent of the outage forced airport authorities to suspend all operations until 11:59 PM on March 21.
India-UK Flights Severely Disrupted
Among the worst-hit were flights between India and the UK. Heathrow, one of the busiest airports globally, handles more than 30 direct flights daily connecting to Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Airlines such as Air India, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic had to cancel or divert their scheduled flights.
Air India’s AI129 from Mumbai had to return mid-air, while AI161 from Delhi was rerouted to Frankfurt. Other scheduled departures, including AI111, were also cancelled. Flights operating through London Gatwick remained unaffected, offering limited alternatives for stranded travelers.
Travel Chaos and Passenger Advisory
Heathrow’s abrupt closure affected over 1,300 flights and more than 145,000 passengers worldwide. The airport has urged travelers to avoid visiting its terminals and instead check with their respective airlines for rebooking and refund options. Airlines have been issuing advisories and offering assistance as they work through the disruptions caused by the shutdown.
Aviation Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about infrastructure vulnerabilities in major international transit hubs. With no signs of foul play reported, investigations into the exact cause of the substation fire are underway. The episode has highlighted the critical need for robust backup systems to ensure continuity in aviation operations.
Conclusion
As recovery efforts continue, passengers and airlines remain in a holding pattern, waiting for operations to resume. The Heathrow shutdown underscores the importance of resilience in infrastructure and coordination in global travel networks, especially for key international corridors like India-UK.
