Heathrow Airport's operations have been suspended following a fire at an adjacent electrical substation, causing major disruption at one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. The fire, which began on Thursday night in Hayes, about 6.5 kilometers from Heathrow, resulted in significant power outages that affected the airport's backup power supply. The London Fire Brigade deployed 10 engines and approximately 70 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.
"To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March," the airport posted on X. British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the incident as "catastrophic," highlighting its wide-reaching impact on both airport operations and surrounding homes and businesses.
The shutdown has led to widespread flight cancellations and global route diversions, with aircraft being rerouted to alternative airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle and Ireland's Shannon. FlightRadar24 reported that around 120 planes were airborne at the time of the closure. All flights at Heathrow have been canceled, and the airport is expected to remain shut until midnight.
In response to the disruption, PML Seafrigo, a logistics company whose facilities remain unaffected by the incident, is offering support to businesses impacted by the shutdown. The company is providing a collection service from alternative UK airports where imported goods have been unexpectedly rerouted. Additionally, it is facilitating the movement of export cargo to other London airports, specifically Gatwick and Stansted, subject to space and availability.
Mike Parr, CEO of PML Seafrigo UK and Ireland, said, "We are keen to help companies affected by this situation, especially those whose consignments comprise perishable goods, where any delay in transfer has a detrimental effect on shelf life. We operate a 24/7 service, so we can step in and help immediately."
The extended closure of Heathrow highlights the vulnerabilities in the airport's infrastructure and its ripple effect across global logistics and supply chains.
Source: DW
Source: LinkedIn