London’s Heathrow Airport has partially reopened after a fire at an electrical substation caused a major power outage, leading to mass travel disruption. The fire, which broke out late Thursday in Hayes, resulted in over 1,350 flight cancellations and left more than 200,000 passengers stranded.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. Counter-terrorism police are involved in the probe, though initial findings suggest no criminal or political motive. Two sources close to the investigation believe the fire was likely accidental, though further analysis is underway.
By Friday evening, Heathrow had resumed some operations, and officials expect the airport to be fully operational by Saturday. However, airlines have warned that passengers should expect continued delays and cancellations in the coming days due to the backlog of flights.
Government and Industry Leaders Demand Answers
The UK government has acknowledged the severity of the disruption and promised a full investigation. Downing Street stated that Heathrow’s vulnerability to such incidents raises “serious questions” about its infrastructure resilience.
Passengers were advised to avoid the airport on Friday as emergency crews worked to control the situation. Over 70 firefighters battled the fire, which was fueled by oil, making conditions hazardous. The blaze knocked out power to 67,000 homes and forced the evacuation of more than 100 people from nearby areas.
Although power has now been restored, critics argue that Heathrow lacks sufficient infrastructure redundancy. Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), called the situation a “planning failure,” saying the airport “let down travelers and airlines once again.”
Former GCHQ chief David Omand called the incident a “national embarrassment.” He argued that a key global travel hub like Heathrow should not be so easily crippled by a single event.
However, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander defended the airport, stating that the fire was “completely outside of their control.” She explained that Heathrow’s backup systems did function but were only designed to support critical operations, not the entire facility. She urged passengers to check with airlines before heading to the airport, acknowledging the “significant impact” on travel.
Investigation Continues as Flights Resume
The Metropolitan Police and fire investigators continue their search for the exact cause of the fire. Counter-terrorism officers remain involved until a clear explanation is established. CCTV footage has been reviewed, and early examinations show no evidence of tampering. Components from the substation will be analyzed to determine what went wrong.
National Grid called the incident “extremely rare.” Alice Delahunty, the company’s president, said it is too soon to confirm an exact cause but emphasized that restoring power quickly was the priority. A full investigation will follow to prevent similar issues in the future.
Heathrow’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, apologized for the massive disruption and described the event as “a major incident, not a minor one.”
The airport’s immediate focus is on repatriating passengers whose flights were diverted to other locations. Heathrow officials noted that restoring full operations will take time due to the complexity of the facility’s infrastructure and high energy demands, which are comparable to those of a small city.
Airlines Work to Manage Chaos
British Airways, which operates about half of Heathrow’s flights, resumed long-haul services on Friday evening. CEO Sean Doyle stated that all short-haul and most long-haul flights had been canceled on Friday. He warned passengers that disruptions would likely continue for several days as airlines work through the backlog.
The situation has sparked urgent discussions about the airport’s crisis management, infrastructure preparedness, and the long-term need for better contingency planning. As Heathrow works to return to full capacity, industry experts and government officials will be looking closely at what went wrong and how similar events can be prevented in the future.