LONDON (AP) — The initial aircraft arrived at Heathrow Airport late on Friday, roughly 18 hours following a fire at an electrical substation that led to a power outage, temporarily closing Europe’s busiest airport.
A British Airways flight touched down just before dusk after the airport rescinded its closure notice, which had disrupted global travel for countless passengers.
According to FlightRadar 24, over 1,350 flights in and out of Heathrow were impacted. The ramifications from the incident are expected to linger for several days as travelers work on rescheduling and airlines manage the repositioning of aircraft and crews.
The cause of the fire remains unknown; however, authorities have found no indications of malicious activity linked to it.
Individuals living in west London reported hearing a significant explosion followed by flames and thick smoke as the inferno engulfed the electrical substation located near Heathrow.
Upon declaration of the closure, around 120 flights were airborne—some were redirected while others returned to their point of origin or landed at alternative airports like Gatwick Airport in London or Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Shannon Airport in Ireland. Tracking services corroborated these details.
Lawrence Hayes was en route from New York when Virgin Atlantic informed him that his flight would be diverted to Glasgow instead. “It was a red-eye trip after an exhausting day,” Hayes recounted while disembarking in Scotland. “Thankfully I contacted my wife who booked me a train ticket back to Euston; it’s going to be quite an arduous journey.”
Heathrow is among the world’s busiest international airports and noted its highest January passenger volume earlier this year with over 6.3 million travelers—a more than 5% increase compared to last year during the same timeframe.
This disruption was notably less severe than what occurred during Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption in 2010, which released ash clouds affecting trans-Atlantic air traffic for extensive periods.
Cause of Fire Uncertain; No Signs of Foul Play
The precise ignition source behind this substantial blaze approximately two miles (3 kilometers) from Heathrow has yet to be determined; however, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband indicated there’s “no suggestion” that it resulted from any malign intent.
The Metropolitan Police stated their counterterrorism unit is spearheading inquiries due primarily to their expertise in rapidly identifying causes while considering how critical such infrastructure is affected by incidents like these.
Heathrow affirmed that its emergency backup power system performed adequately but could not sustain full operations leading them ultimately decide on temporary closure.
“We anticipate ongoing disruptions for several days,” airport officials stated firmly advising against travel until full operational capacity resumes.”
The broad repercussions stemming from this seven-hour battle against flames prompted critiques regarding Britain’s preparedness for emergencies since such a single event could halt operations at Europe’s primary airport.
Alan Mendoza, executive director at security think tank Henry Jackson Society commented: “The U.K.’s vital national infrastructure lacks sufficient resilience if one fire can incapacitate Heathrow… This highlights noteworthy flaws within our disaster management system.”
A spokesperson representing Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged existing inquiries into how events unfolded asserting thorough investigations are necessary ensuring future incidents do not result again.”
Persistent Disruptions Likely
< p >Initially projecting reopening shortly before midnight< br />confirmations fielded later categorized expectation where continued major disruptions should envelop subsequent days reinforcing advisories discouraging any travels toward bedroom under operational strategies until everything restored safe efficiently.[/[/[/[/
< p >Once disclosures emerged about impending reopening British Airways confirmed readiness prioritizing eight long-haul departures post-seven p.m., whereas United Airlines anticipated resuming most Friday outbound routes towards London smoothly.[/[/[/[/
< p >Post-flight operations reinstatement will demand requisite time arrange mobilization essential components which include planes cargo drivers coupled coordination booking arrangements Anita Mendiratta aviation consultant advised maintaining expectations surrounding backlogs presenting implications resulting delays having transpired thus far still proving challenging.”[/[/[/[/
Cancellations and Diversions Amidst Confusion
< p >Mark Doherty together with family crossed halfway through transit mid-Atlantic when inflight monitors conveyed they’d shift course redirecting towards New York abandoning original itinerary points planned passing into London’s territory turning back motivation aligning output concerns.”[/[/[/[/
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