Heathrow Airport Closes Due to Significant Power Outage Caused by Nearby Fire, Impacting More Than 1,300 Flights

Over 1,300 planes and 145,000 passengers have been impacted by the airport’s total shutdown due to a massive fire near Heathrow.

One of the largest travel hubs in the world, London’s Heathrow Airport, has declared a complete closure after a major fire nearby caused a power outage.

Over 1,300 flights are anticipated to be affected by the stoppage, affecting tens of thousands of people globally.

Authorities at Heathrow have warned of “significant disruption” in the days ahead and have advised passengers not to proceed to the airport. Up to 145,000 passengers may experience delays, according to a flight analytics company called Cirium. Significant flight diversions are already in place throughout North America and Europe.

The source of the fire is still being investigated, and the London Fire Brigade called it a “prolonged incident.” A few planes were compelled to return to their departure airports, and 36 flights that were already in the air were rerouted.

With flights from places like New York, Singapore, and Perth among those affected, Heathrow’s closure is having an effect on people all across the world. Experts caution that it may take days to clear the passenger backlog, resulting in widespread travel havoc.