London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, has shut down due to a fire at an electrical substation. The incident caused a significant power outage, leading to the complete closure of the airport on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The airport confirmed the closure, stating they do not have clarity on when power may be restored. “To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March,” the airport said in a statement. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and to contact their airline for further information.
The fire, located at an electrical substation in Hayes, a few miles from the airport, prompted a large response from the London Fire Brigade. According to CNN, ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the blaze. Around 150 people were evacuated from the area as a precaution.
The closure is expected to cause widespread disruption to global air travel. Flightradar24 estimates that at least 1,351 flights will be affected. Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, estimates that upwards of 145,000 passengers could be impacted by the closure.
Many flights already in the air were diverted to alternate airports across Europe and North America. CNN reported that destinations included Manchester, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, and Shannon, Ireland.
Airlines are scrambling to accommodate affected passengers. British Airways, the largest carrier at Heathrow, advised passengers not to travel to the airport until further notice. According to CNN, Ryanair has launched eight “rescue flights” between Dublin and London Stansted to assist stranded passengers.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband told CNN there was “no suggestion” of foul play. Miliband stated that a backup generator could not be used as it was also impacted by the fire.
The impact of the Heathrow shutdown is expected to extend well beyond Friday, potentially causing travel disruptions for days, if not weeks. Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, told CNN that the financial losses from the shutdown could reach “hundreds of millions of pounds.” The situation remains fluid, and travelers are urged to stay in contact with their airlines for the latest updates.
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