Flights between Heathrow and Belfast have been cancelled after a fire at a nearby electrical substation forced the airport to shut down.
The disruption has affected over 1,300 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and causing widespread travel chaos.
The fire, which broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in west London, led to a significant power outage, impacting Heathrow and nearby areas. More than 100 people were evacuated, and thousands of homes were left without electricity.
Online flight tracking services reported that 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow were affected, with 120 flights already in the air when the closure was announced.
Several flights between Heathrow and Belfast City Airport were among those cancelled, including early morning departures and arrivals.
The airport advised passengers not to travel and to contact their airlines for updates. City of Derry Airport also confirmed that all flights to Heathrow had been cancelled.
Heathrow announced that the airport would remain closed for the entire day, meaning further cancellations are expected.
Dublin Airport, which operates multiple daily flights to Heathrow, has also been severely impacted. British Airways and Aer Lingus cancelled at least 34 flights between Dublin and London Heathrow.
Dublin Airport authorities warned that disruption could continue for several days, with passengers struggling to rebook flights.
While the airport cannot accept diverted flights from Heathrow, Shannon and Cork airports have stepped in to accommodate some of the affected planes.
Shannon Airport confirmed it had received diverted flights from major international hubs, including Toronto, Atlanta, Boston, and Orlando. Gatwick Airport also took in flights from locations such as Singapore, Johannesburg, and Doha.
A Belfast man due to fly from Heathrow to Tokyo described the uncertainty surrounding his journey, saying that British Airways had yet to provide clear information.
Many passengers were left frustrated as airline apps crashed and customer service lines were overwhelmed.
Heathrow is the UK’s busiest airport, handling nearly 84 million passengers in 2024. Officials warned that the shutdown would have a lasting impact on flights and travel schedules.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said the closure was necessary for safety reasons and that the airport would remain shut until at least midnight on 21 March. Passengers were urged not to travel to the airport and to check with airlines for further updates.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks confirmed a widespread power outage affecting over 16,300 homes in Hayes, Hounslow, and surrounding areas. Authorities aim to restore power by mid-afternoon on Friday.
London Fire Brigade sent 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines to tackle the blaze. Emergency services evacuated 150 people from nearby properties, and a 200-metre safety cordon was put in place. Firefighters remained on-site into the morning, working to contain the fire.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne described the incident as highly significant, warning that disruption would continue for some time. Social media footage showed huge flames and thick smoke rising from the substation.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Emergency services continue to monitor the situation, and passengers are advised to expect further delays in the coming days.
