Fri Mar 21 08:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Heathrow Power Outage Grounds Air India Flights, Causes Widespread Disruption
**London, March 21** – A major power outage at London Heathrow Airport, caused by a fire at an electrical substation, has brought operations to a standstill, impacting airlines globally, including Air India. The airport announced a closure until midnight on March 21st, forcing numerous flight cancellations and diversions.
Air India confirmed the suspension of all its flights to and from Heathrow for the day. Flight AI129 from Mumbai returned to its origin, while flight AI161 from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt. The airline stated that all other Heathrow flights were cancelled and provided updates on the resumption of services would be issued once more information is available. Flights to London Gatwick remain operational.
The power outage, which resulted in significant smoke and flames visible from surrounding areas, led to the evacuation of approximately 150 people from nearby buildings. The London Fire Brigade deployed around 70 firefighters to extinguish the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation.
The incident caused widespread disruption, with flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reporting at least 120 inbound flights diverted and over 1,350 total flights impacted. Spokesperson Ian Petchenik highlighted the global impact, noting Heathrow’s status as a major international hub. The airport advised passengers not to travel to the airport. The extent of the damage and the timeline for a full restoration of services remains unclear.
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