London’s Heathrow Airport faced a major disruption on March 21 after a fire at an electrical substation caused a power outage, forcing the temporary suspension of flight operations. The outage affected over 16,000 homes in the western part of the city and halted operations at the UK’s largest airport, impacting Air India and several other carriers.
Air India Flights Diverted and Cancelled
In response to the situation, Air India announced that its flights to and from London Heathrow had been disrupted. The airline issued a statement confirming changes to its flight schedules.
- Flight AI129 from Mumbai, which was on its way to London Heathrow, was forced to return to Mumbai.
- Flight AI161 from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt Airport to avoid further delays.
Air India also informed passengers that all remaining flights to and from Heathrow, including AI111 scheduled for the morning of March 21, had been cancelled. The airline promised to update passengers as soon as operations could resume. However, Air India clarified that its flights to London Gatwick Airport were not affected by the disruption.
Heathrow Airport Issues Advisory to Passengers
Heathrow Airport posted an advisory on X (formerly Twitter), urging passengers not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines for updated information.
“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 11.59 pm on March 21,” the airport’s statement said.
Significant Disruptions Expected
Reports indicate that several flights were already diverted due to the shutdown, and airport authorities warned of potential disruptions over the coming days. The Scottish and Southern Electricity Network, which supplies power to central and southern England, confirmed that the fire occurred at the North Hyde substation and that emergency services were working to control the situation.
Impact on Heathrow Operations
Heathrow Airport, known as the busiest airport in the UK, handles around 1,300 landings and take-offs daily. In 2023, a record 83.9 million passengers passed through its terminals. The power outage has disrupted normal airport operations, raising concerns about how long it will take to fully restore services.
Advice for Passengers
Passengers flying to or from Heathrow are advised to check with their airlines and stay updated on any schedule changes. Airlines, including Air India, are coordinating with the airport authorities to manage the situation and minimize inconvenience to travelers.
