The massive power outage caused by a fire at a nearby power station forced the closure of Heathrow Airport in London on Friday, March 21, 2025, causing widespread disruption not only for travelers – but greatly affects flight operations throughout the UK and abroad.
Reading: Heathrow Airport in London announces a complete closure due to the power outage
Heathrow, one of the busiest freight centers in Europe, is dealing with a large percentage of air and export conditions in the United Kingdom, with most goods usually transported in the abdomen of passengers. The closure, which is expected to continue until midnight, has led to hundreds of flying cancelors and delayed shipping movements, prompting logistical services and stakeholders in the industry to the alarm sound.
A spokesman for Heathrow confirmed:
“Heathrow suffers from a significant power cut around the airport due to a major fire at a nearby electric sub -station. While fire sets respond to the accident, we have no clarity on the time of reliably restoring power.
Because of a fire at an electrical sub -station that supplies the airport, the Heathrow suffers from a significant power outage.
To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed to 23h59 on March 21.
Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport … pic.twitter.com/7swnjp8ojd
Heathrow Airport (@Hethrowairport) March 21, 2025
The airport also warned against “Great disturbance in the coming days”, Urging all travelers and stakeholders to ship not to deal with the airport until further notice.
Industry is stampede for emergency plans
Ig Cargo, whose operations are highly concentrated in Heathrow, acknowledged:
“Our colleagues actively work to reduce the disorder and will be in contact with our customers.”
However, other goods treatments are less optimistic. Logistics services companies are now working to recharge urgently via alternative airports and warning customers of the expected delay.
500 logs Stewart Lumsdin issued a public update, saying:
“All import and export shipments have been suspended. There will be a major disorder until the problem can be solved.”
Similarly, Rosley religion of goods abroad, limited He described the acceptance of goods in Heathrow as “inconsistent with airlines”, with no export flights currently and the vision becomes limited to the re -directed charges.
Air Express team She issued a consultant indicating the use of emergency measures, including the following flight services (NFO), analizer on board (OBC), and priority AirFeright solutions across alternative airports. “With a stretch capacity over the network, some delays may not be avoided.”
During, PML Seafrigo Ascended to help the affected trucks, provide a collection service from other UK airports and move to London Gatwick or Stanstid. CEO Mike Bar said:
“We are keen to help companies affected by this situation, especially those whose shipments include damageable goods. Any delay has a harmful effect on the age of validity.”
The British International Shipping Association (BIFA) has expressed its frustration due to the lack of focus on air cargo in the prevailing coverage of the Heathrow accident. Note a statement issued by the association:
“Unfortunately, the goods have been overlooked to a large extent. The impact will be significant on both import and export movements. Airlines will fill quickly and cannot accept new charging operations, which will then affect the other parties.”
BIFA has also warned that accumulation could grow dramatically in the coming days with the resumption of passenger services and the abdominal charging capacity becomes restricted due to the high demand for seats.
Airlines are alert
According to what was reported, the airlines evaluate the effects and work with their operations teams to convert the goods into alternative centers. However, detailed responses have not yet been confirmed.
In a statement dealing with operational safety, Joji Waitees, head of aviation safety at the British Aviation Pilot Association (Balpa), said:
“The pilots are strictly trained to deal with such situations. Every flight takes off with at least one alternative pilot who has been officially nominated and enough fuel to get there.”
Balba also confessed to a wider operational ripple effect:
“When mass disturbance events occur like this, planes and crew are often in the wrong place, so it will take a few days to restore the process on the right track.”
A statement from the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan:
My graphics about the accident in Heathrow this morning: pic.twitter.com/rv8vdrbcw2
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (Mayoroflondon) March 21, 2025
IATA criticizes infrastructure failures
Willie Walsh, IATA General Manager, responded sharply on Heathrow’s dealings with the situation:
“This is another case of Heathrow that messes with both travelers and airlines. If the critical infrastructure depends completely on one power source without an alternative, this is a failure to plan clear by the airport.”
Since this, the issue of those who hold the care of the thirsty travelers arise. We must find a more fair specialization for the costs of caring for passengers from airlines alone to capture the tab when the infrastructure fails.
– iATA (@Aita) March 21, 2025
You will follow more updates with the development of the situation.
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