Air India has suspended their operation at Heathrow amid a shutdown of the airport. London’s Heathrow Airport has temporarily suspended operations following a major power cut caused by a fire at an electrical substation. The disruption, which started on Friday, has resulted in the cancellation and diversion of various flights, affecting thousands of passengers and airlines worldwide.

Heathrow Airport, which is among the busiest airports in the world, declared on X that it would be closed until March 21 at 23:59 hours for the safety of passengers and employees. The fire, which occurred in Hayes, not only disrupted airport activities but also engulfed more than 16,300 houses in the surrounding area.

Air India Flights Affected Due to Heathrow Closure

Air India confirmed that its operations to and from Heathrow have been suspended temporarily. “Our operations to and from London Heathrow (LHR) have been impacted following the temporary suspension of operations at the airport until 23h59 London time of 21 March, following a major power outage,” Air India said.

#ImportantUpdate
Due to a significant power outage, London Heathrow Airport has been shut down until 23:59 on 21st March. All Air India flights to and from London Heathrow for 21st March have been cancelled.

For more information or assistance, please call our Contact Centre at…

— Air India (@airindia) March 21, 2025

Air India also announced that its London Heathrow-bound flight AI129 from Mumbai to London returned to Mumbai, and flight AI161 from Delhi diverted to Frankfurt. All other flights, such as AI111, due to operate on March 21, were also canceled. Air India flights to London Gatwick were however not affected.

Fire Breaks Out Near Heathrow, 150 Evacuated

Reuters reports that approximately 150 individuals were evacuated from surrounding buildings when huge flames and heavy smoke were observed shooting into the air. The fire department acted quickly, sending 70 firefighters to the location. The origin of the fire is still unknown.

The blaze had a devastating effect on power supply around the region, causing flight schedules globally to be disrupted. Numerous incoming flights to Heathrow were diverted to other airports, having ripple effects on the aviation sector.

Flight Diversions and Global Disruptions

Flight tracking platform FlightRadar24 said a minimum of 120 incoming flights into Heathrow were diverted to alternative airports. To date, Friday saw 1,351 flights scheduled to land and depart Heathrow, which shows the scale of the disruption.

Ian Petchenik, a spokesperson for FlightRadar24, spoke about the international implications of the situation. “Heathrow is one of the major hubs of the world. This is going to disrupt airlines’ operations around the world.”

London-Heathrow will be closed for ALL of Friday due to a “significant power outage” caused by a fire in an electrical substation.

There are currently 120 aircraft in the air that will be diverting to alternate airports or returning to their origins. https://t.co/TEHf2kJO23 pic.twitter.com/Lot0lsJLz8

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 21, 2025

The short-term shutdown has caused flights to be canceled or diverted. British Airways asked passengers whose flights were to leave Heathrow on Friday to avoid traveling to the airport. Likewise, Emirates canceled all flights to and from Heathrow on March 21.

Heathrow Officials Warn of Further Delays

Heathrow Airport officials have asked travelers not to try to make their way to the airport until further notice. Authorities warned of long delays and congestion in the days ahead as they struggle to return to normal operations.

Travelers are encouraged to remain informed with their airlines for alternative plans and travel alerts.

Fire Continues to Burn as Firefighters Fight the Fire

The London Fire Brigade is still fighting the fire at the electrical substation, and authorities are trying to establish the cause. Footage shared on social media indicates huge flames engulfing the building, sparking widespread alarm.

The Guardian quoted that close to 200 emergency calls were received regarding the blaze, with forces from Hayes, Heathrow, Hillingdon, and Southall rushing to the scene. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks stated that the blackout has impacted more than 16,300 homes, with many residents in a state of despair.

Heathrow’s Global Significance and Passenger Traffic

Being one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow is a key player in global travel. Statistics from travel analytics company OAG placed Heathrow at number four among the world’s busiest airports in 2024, with more than 51 million seats reserved last year. Heathrow also led Europe’s busiest airports in 2024.

The sudden shutdown has raised serious concerns about international travel, as Heathrow links passengers to destinations around the world. Authorities are operating day and night to restore power and reopen as quickly as possible.

Passengers Urged to Stay Updated

While officials push forward with combating the blaze and restoring electricity, Heathrow Airport remains closed until notice. Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines for information regarding substitute flights and re-routed operations.

With cancellations, diversions, and constant travel advisories, the disruption at Heathrow will have far-reaching consequences for global air travel. The airport officials, airlines, and rescue services are joining forces to limit the damage and protect passenger safety.