Travelers faced overwhelming challenges as a fire near London's Heathrow Airport led to a full day of flight cancellations and delays, affecting individuals worldwide.
Heathrow Airport Closure Causes Global Travel Chaos
Heathrow Airport Closure Causes Global Travel Chaos
Severe disruptions impact thousands of passengers following a power outage at one of the world's busiest airports.
March 21, 2025, 4:39 a.m. ET
The chaos began early Friday when Warren Hu, a college student from New York, prepared to board his flight to London to see his girlfriend. Shortly after settling in, he learned about a fire that erupted near Heathrow Airport, which led to its abrupt closure. “I’m surprised, but I’m trying to stay calm,” he texted from the plane, which was now slated to return to the U.S.
The incident involved a fire at an electrical substation, knocking out power and resulting in a complete shutdown of Heathrow. Airport authorities warned that the repercussions of the closure could last for days due to the airport's status as one of the busiest transit points globally. A glance at the airport’s departure boards painted a grim picture, with flights from multiple nations, including Vietnam and India, grounded.
In Shenzhen, China, Lukas Zou was poised to board a flight to London when the shutdown was announced. “With all my luggage, I don’t know if I should laugh or cry,” he remarked, noting his hotel reservation in London was non-refundable. However, Shenzhen Airlines arranged accommodations for affected travelers and anticipated rescheduling flights to the following day.
This unpredicted closure reflects the broader disruptions in airline operations and has left many passengers seeking solace as they navigate the mess unfolding at airports worldwide.
The chaos began early Friday when Warren Hu, a college student from New York, prepared to board his flight to London to see his girlfriend. Shortly after settling in, he learned about a fire that erupted near Heathrow Airport, which led to its abrupt closure. “I’m surprised, but I’m trying to stay calm,” he texted from the plane, which was now slated to return to the U.S.
The incident involved a fire at an electrical substation, knocking out power and resulting in a complete shutdown of Heathrow. Airport authorities warned that the repercussions of the closure could last for days due to the airport's status as one of the busiest transit points globally. A glance at the airport’s departure boards painted a grim picture, with flights from multiple nations, including Vietnam and India, grounded.
In Shenzhen, China, Lukas Zou was poised to board a flight to London when the shutdown was announced. “With all my luggage, I don’t know if I should laugh or cry,” he remarked, noting his hotel reservation in London was non-refundable. However, Shenzhen Airlines arranged accommodations for affected travelers and anticipated rescheduling flights to the following day.
This unpredicted closure reflects the broader disruptions in airline operations and has left many passengers seeking solace as they navigate the mess unfolding at airports worldwide.
