Sat Mar 22 09:54:58 UTC 2025: ## Heathrow Airport Reopens After Fire Causes Mass Disruption
**London, March 22, 2025** – London’s Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest, resumed full operations on Saturday after a major power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The incident, which began Friday night, led to the cancellation of over 1,300 flights and stranded approximately 200,000 passengers.
While Heathrow declared itself fully operational Saturday, airlines warned of significant disruption lasting several days as they work to reschedule flights and reposition aircraft and crews. British Airways, for example, expects to operate only 85% of its scheduled flights.
The fire, which police are not treating as suspicious, caused a power outage affecting not only the airport but also over 60,000 homes in west London. Witnesses reported a large explosion and fireball. The fire was extinguished after seven hours, but the airport remained closed for nearly 18.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye stated that the airport’s backup power system functioned as designed, but was insufficient to power the entire facility, which consumes energy comparable to a small city. He emphasized that the situation was not unique to Heathrow and that similar incidents at other major airports would likely cause comparable disruptions.
The incident has sparked criticism of Britain’s infrastructure, with calls for a thorough investigation into how a single fire could cause such widespread chaos. The British government has acknowledged the need for answers and a comprehensive review to prevent future occurrences. The disruption was one of the most significant since the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption.
Passengers experienced significant delays and disruptions, with some flights being diverted and turned back mid-flight. Many passengers expressed frustration and anger at the lack of contingency planning. The investigation into the fire’s cause and the airport’s response is underway.
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