By George Clinton Prajogo
LONDON, A massive fire at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, Hillingdon, has caused widespread power outages and led to the temporary closure of Heathrow Airport, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers and disrupting global travel.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND TRAVEL CHAOS
The fire, which broke out at approximately 11:23 PM GMT on March 20, severely impacted Heathrow’s power supply. The airport was forced to ground over 1,351 flights, affecting nearly 290,000 travelers worldwide. Passengers faced long delays, rerouted flights, and cancellations, as airlines scrambled to make alternative arrangements.
Beyond flight disruptions, the incident caused major travel chaos across London. Train services, including the Heathrow Express and parts of the Elizabeth Line, experienced shutdowns, while major roadways such as the M4 motorway saw closures. Local bus services were also heavily affected, worsening commuter frustration.
ELECTRICAL FAILURE SPARKS WIDESPREAD OUTAGES
The blaze not only crippled airport operations but also resulted in extensive power outages across the region. At least 150 residents were evacuated from nearby homes, and thousands more were left without electricity overnight. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire, but the substation sustained significant damage, delaying restoration efforts.
HEATHROW’S RESPONSE AND FUTURE OPERATIONS
In response to the crisis, Heathrow officials announced a complete shutdown of the airport throughout March 21, with partial operations expected to resume late that evening. Heathrow’s management assured the public that a “full operation” would be restored by March 22, though many passengers continued to experience delays in the following days.
Airlines such as Singapore Airlines adjusted their flight schedules, offering passengers the option to rebook or receive full refunds. Some airlines have threatened legal action against Heathrow, citing operational failures and inadequate contingency planning.
CRITICISM AND INVESTIGATIONS
As the situation stabilises, critics have raised concerns about Heathrow’s preparedness for such emergencies. Experts question why the airport relied heavily on a single electrical substation without sufficient backup systems. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess whether better preventive measures could have mitigated the impact.