Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, has been forced to shut down following a massive power outage caused by a fire at a nearby power substation, triggering widespread flight disruptions. The outage has grounded operations at the airport, leaving over 1,300 flights delayed or canceled and stranding an estimated 145,000 passengers.

Among the affected flights was British Airways flight BA078, en route from Accra to London, which was diverted to Lyon, France, amid the chaos. Passengers onboard the flight are awaiting further instructions from British Airways regarding alternative travel arrangements.

London’s Fire Brigade is currently battling the blaze, which has been described as a “prolonged incident,” with ongoing disruption for residents in the surrounding areas. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the fire, but it is expected that operations at Heathrow will remain suspended for an extended period. No timeline has been provided for when the airport will resume normal service.

Heathrow officials have urged passengers to refrain from traveling to the airport, advising travelers to contact their airlines for updates. “Passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until operations resume,” the airport said in a statement.

The impact of the closure extends far beyond Heathrow, with ripple effects on international travel expected to last for several days as airlines work to reroute flights and accommodate affected passengers. Travelers are advised to stay informed via Heathrow’s official website and their respective airlines for the latest developments.

Source:TheDotNews