A fire near Heathrow Airport has caused significant disruption to flights, particularly impacting those traveling from the island of Ireland. The blaze, which broke out at an electrical substation near the airport in Hayes, has led to Heathrow being closed for the entire day on Friday. This incident has severely affected flight operations, with at least 1,351 flights to and from the UK’s busiest airport being cancelled, according to flight tracking services.
Belfast City Airport has issued an advisory for passengers who were due to fly to Heathrow, urging them not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines for alternative arrangements. Many flights from Belfast City to Heathrow have already been cancelled, and the airport is urging travelers to check with their airlines for the latest information. The fire has caused widespread power outages in the area, leaving over 4,900 homes without electricity. Heathrow officials have stated that they are uncertain when power will be fully restored, which has led to the closure of all airport terminals.
Meanwhile, Belfast International Airport, which does not operate flights to Heathrow, is functioning normally, with no disruption to its services. However, Dublin Airport has been severely impacted by the fire. Reports indicate that at least 70 flights between Ireland and Heathrow have been affected. Many flights from Dublin to Heathrow scheduled for earlier in the day on Friday have been cancelled, with further cancellations expected throughout the day. A spokesperson for Dublin Airport confirmed that flights scheduled later on Friday are also likely to experience delays or cancellations. A total of 34 flights were planned between Dublin and Heathrow on Friday, making it one of the busiest air routes in Europe.
For passengers affected by the disruption, Dublin Airport has advised them to get in touch with their respective airlines for assistance. It is anticipated that the impact of the fire at Heathrow will last several days, as the knock-on effect of the flight cancellations and diversions continues to disrupt air travel between Ireland and London. Graeme McQueen, the media relations manager at Dublin Airport, indicated that there could be extended delays, urging passengers to check for updates and explore other flight options, such as flights to other London airports.
In response to the crisis, Shannon Airport in County Clare has stepped in to accommodate several flights that were originally scheduled to land at Heathrow on Friday morning. Flights from cities like Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown (Barbados), Boston, Orlando, and Newark were diverted to Shannon Airport as Heathrow’s closure created an overwhelming backlog of passengers. These diversions have helped alleviate some pressure on the affected routes, but the situation remains fluid as the impact of the fire continues to unfold.
For now, the disruption is expected to extend beyond Friday, with further cancellations and delays possible in the coming days. Passengers are urged to stay in close contact with their airlines for the latest information on their flights. While other airports in Ireland are not facing direct operational challenges, the cascading delays and cancellations at Heathrow are likely to cause broader impacts on flight schedules across Europe. The situation remains a major challenge for travelers who rely on the bustling Heathrow hub, and it is clear that the recovery from this incident may take some time.
