On Saturday, London Heathrow Airport confirmed that it was “fully operational” after a significant closure caused by an electrical substation fire that lasted nearly a full day. Although operations have resumed, airlines have cautioned that travelers may face ongoing disruptions as they work to relocate aircraft, crews, and passengers.

Impact of the Fire Incident

The fire, which occurred at a substation located approximately two miles from the airport, resulted in the cancellation of over 1,300 flights and left around 200,000 passengers stranded on Friday. The sudden power loss affected not only the airport but also more than 60,000 properties in the vicinity.

Witnesses from west London reported hearing a loud explosion before witnessing significant flames and smoke billowing from the substation. Emergency services managed to control the fire after seven hours, yet the airport remained closed for almost 18 hours.

Reactions and Responses

While normal operations have resumed, airlines, including British Airways—Heathrow’s largest carrier—indicated that they expect to run approximately 85% of their usual flight schedule on Saturday. To accommodate additional passengers, Heathrow has increased its capacity, adding flights to assist about 10,000 additional travelers.

Authorities are now addressing public concerns regarding infrastructure preparedness, as many expressed frustration over how a single incident could have such a widespread effect on travel.

Investigation and Future Considerations

Investigations by police remain ongoing; however, they have stated that the cause of the fire is not considered suspicious. The London Fire Brigade is focusing its inquiry on the electrical distribution equipment at the site of the incident.

The incident has sparked discussions about the resilience of Britain’s infrastructure, highlighting the potential need for improved contingency plans to manage similar crises in the future.

Comparison to Previous Incidents

This disruption is among the worst Heathrow has faced since the significant air travel interruptions caused by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, which grounded flights across Europe.

Conclusion

In light of the recent events, affected passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information. As Heathrow navigates the complexities of returning to normalcy, the focus remains on addressing the lingering fallout from this incident.