A plane ascends gracefully into the sky, hovering momentarily over a road sign near London’s bustling Heathrow Airport – a sight captured on June 5, 2018, by the lens of Kirsty Wigglesworth for the Associated Press.
This picturesque scene now sharply contrasts with the unfolding chaos at the United Kingdom’s premier airport. As of today, Heathrow has faced an unexpected yet formidable challenge: a complete shutdown that will last until midnight on Friday, owing to a crippling power outage. This disruption undoubtedly throws the meticulously laid plans of tens of thousands of travelers into disarray.
Being Europe’s busiest air hub, Heathrow is no stranger to crowds and complexities. Yet on this particular Friday, a “significant” power failure stemming from a fire at a nearby electrical substation has forced London’s primary airport to take the drastic step of closing its runways. The decision was unambiguously articulated by Heathrow Airport’s management: “To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March,” declared a message posted on the platform X.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”
The ripple effect of this closure is expansive. The flight tracking website, FlightRadar24, reported that at least 1,351 flights are expected to be impacted. Imagine this scenario: 120 aircraft were already aloft, each one needing redirection to alternate airports or a return to their point of origin at the moment the announcement broke.
A Heathrow spokesperson, speaking with Al Jazeera, revealed the magnitude of the airport’s efforts, explaining, “We’re trying to stop passengers from travelling to the airport, and then work with airline partners on flights that are delayed, diverted, or cancelled.” In these unchartered waters, passengers are advised to liaise directly with their airline partners concerning rebooking options.
Have you ever pondered how embedded Heathrow is within the global travel tapestry? With over 200 destinations spread across nearly 90 countries and territories, last year, it set a new record by handling nearly 84 million passengers. It’s an edifice of connectivity that stands among the world’s top five busiest gateways.
The repercussions of the airport’s closure slowly materialized, beginning with the first scheduled flights at 06:00 GMT. From the outset of the UK awakening to the day, tremors of disruption spread across continents, reaching as far as Asia. Singapore’s Changi Airport, for instance, advised passengers to stay vigilant about their flight statuses in light of this incident.
Meanwhile, vivid scenes circulated over social media revealed a staggering inferno, towering several stories high, brightening the night sky while thick black smoke swirled ominously above. Tackling this blaze was a Herculean task, one that the London Fire Brigade approached with determination. As Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne explained, “This is a highly visible and significant incident, and our firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.”
This blaze did not just compromise service at Heathrow; it precipitated a wider power outage, disrupting homes and local businesses alike. In a commendable act of bravery, firefighters have led 29 individuals to safety from neighboring edifices. Caution remained paramount, leading to the establishment of a 200-meter safety cordon, necessitating the evacuation of about 150 people.
“As we head into the morning, disruption is expected to increase, and we urge people to avoid the area wherever possible,”
Goulbourne advised further. Such sage advice, especially with the hefty plumes of smoke, which warranted the urging of locals to keep windows and doors tightly sealed against the noxious air.
More updates will follow, shedding light on this evolving story. The monumental scope of this incident and its implications will surely become more apparent as time unfolds.
Source: Al Jazeera
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
