LONDON (AP) — The first aircraft touched down at Heathrow Airport late Friday, approximately 18 hours after a catastrophic fire at an heathrow-welcomes-first-plane-after-major-substation-fire-disrupts-over-1300-flights/” title=”London's Heathrow Welcomes First Plane After Major Substation Fire Disrupts Over 1,300 Flights!”>electrical substation led to a power failure, resulting in the temporary closure of Europe’s busiest airport.
A British Airways flight landed just before dusk, coinciding with the airport’s decision to lift its closure that disrupted air travel for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, around 1,350 flights were impacted at Heathrow. This disruption is expected to extend over several days as travelers seek to rearrange their plans and airlines work on relocating planes and crews.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation; however, early reports suggest there is no indication of malicious intent.
Residents in western London reported hearing a loud explosion followed by flames and thick smoke as the fire engulfed the electrical substation near Heathrow.
When authorities announced the closure, about 120 flights were already airborne; some had to turn back while others were redirected towards Gatwick Airport on London’s outskirts or Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Shannon Airport in Ireland.
Lawrence Hayes was nearing London’s vicinity aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from New York when he learned that his plane was being rerouted to Glasgow. “After such a long day already,” he shared with BBC upon disembarking in Scotland. “I managed to contact my wife who graciously booked me a train ticket back home. It’s going be an extremely lengthy day.”
Heathrow stands as one of the globe’s most traveled airports for international flights, recording its highest January ever this year with over 6.3 million passengers—a more than five percent increase compared to last year during this period.
This recent disruption did not match the chaos caused by Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in 2010 which unleashed ash clouds leading to transatlantic aviation turmoil spanning several months.
Cause of Fire Still Unknown; No Foul Play Expected
The specific cause behind this extensive blaze occurring roughly two miles (three kilometers) from Heathrow has yet to be clarified; however, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated that there is “no suggestion” it was intentional.
The Metropolitan Police are conducting investigations through their counterterrorism unit due to their capacity for prompt conclusions coupled with key national infrastructure implications stemming from this electrical substation incident.
Heathrow confirmed its emergency backup power systems functioned adequately but did not suffice for full operational capacity resulting in the airport’s necessity for temporary shutdowns throughout Friday.
“That created significant disruptions which we expect will continue into coming days,” stated representatives urging passengers against traveling until reopening notifications are issued.”
Lingering Effects Expected Throughout Upcoming Days
The initial estimates suggested reopening just past midnight but noted significant residual disruptions where travelers should remain clear until formal announcements regarding reopening procedures occur.”
Once authorized again British Airways reported they could initiate eight long-haul flights after 7 p.m., while United Airlines aimed toward operating most pre-scheduled Friday departures into London too.”
Even once operations resume fully it might take numerous days harnessing displaced aircraft cargo carriers alongside thousands seeking rebooking assistance,” expressed aviation analyst Anita Mendiratta emphasizing complications aren’t only about coordinating tomorrow’s activities but managing existing backlog scenarios too.
Caught Mid-Travel: Diverted Flights and Canceled Plans
Mark Doherty along with his spouse realized mid-air aboard their transatlantic flight monitored worsening circumstances prompting turning back towards New York rather than continuing onto Heathrow.
“I thought surely they must jest,” recalled Doherty reflecting upon unclear management plans,
“It exemplifies typical Britain – devoid strategic fallbacks amidst unforeseen events like these encouraged minimal contingency strategies.”
At terminals across Heathrown confusion dominated where families awaited hopeful updates anticipating departure closer arrival times only later informed cancellations presented challenges wrangling logistics alongside any potential recovery pathways.
Andrea Sri transported her family across town hoping for connectivity onward via still delayed destination yet faced ordeal guidance indicating further progress incapable warranted encouragement altogether adding stress fatigue through compounded lengths;
“We were left feeling futility guessing navigating through company call lines during closed hours proving fruitless here residing locally,” shared Andrea visibly frustrated heathrow aligned talks failed timely.
Ryanair—operating outside labeled location—arranged specific “rescue” departures targeting clearing up stuck passengers transitioning between Dublin vicinity moving hands-on facilitating needs bolstered availability elsewhere extending feasible means outside hopelessness evident enhancing cutoffs.
British transport authorities also halted rail services accessing connected station paths designed exclusively toward terminal locations inciting deeper burdens accumulating entrapped longing journeys dragging momentum considerably longer.
An Illuminating Blaze Darkens Local Homes
