LONDON – The recent closure of Heathrow Airport is projected to disrupt global aviation for several days, incurring costs that could reach tens of millions of dollars. Experts are questioning the effectiveness of the airport’s contingency planning in light of this incident.
The scale of the power outage at Heathrow, unparalleled since the 2010 Icelandic ash cloud crisis, was triggered by a fire at a nearby electrical substation that compromised both the primary and backup power systems.
Heathrow handles approximately 1,300 flights daily, as reported by Eurocontrol. The fire, which broke out shortly after 2300 GMT on Thursday, prompted numerous flight diversions to other airports across the UK and Europe, with many long-haul flights returning to their original departure points.
Experts estimate that the economic impact of the closure could amount to £20 million ($26 million) per day, and there is uncertainty about the airport’s reopening date, given the ongoing power supply vulnerabilities.
Energy Minister Ed Miliband stated that the fire hindered the backup system’s functionality, and engineers are currently working to establish a third backup system. The government is also investigating the incident to derive lessons for the future.
Experts expressed concern over potential deficiencies in Heathrow’s backup systems. “It is unusual for all electrical routes to be completely disrupted,” noted a specialist from Imperial College London. He added that while backup generators exist, they may not be sufficient to support full airport operations.
International risk management consultant Tony Cox reflected on the severity of the situation, indicating he had not witnessed a critical infrastructure shutdown of this nature due to fire in recent memory. The ongoing closure is expected to have global repercussions, leaving travelers stranded as airlines recalibrate their operations.
Addressing the Backlog
Karen Dee, chief executive of Airlines UK, emphasized the immediate focus on managing the operational challenges and restoring normal service promptly.
Independent air transport consultant John Strickland highlighted the long-term impact of grounded aircraft on operational logistics, as crews are required to complete legally mandated rest periods before flights can resume.
This incident follows another major outage of Britain’s air traffic control system in 2023, which cost over £100 million and raised questions regarding system reliability.
If Heathrow’s closure extends beyond Friday, it is expected to attract significant public scrutiny.
Under EU and UK regulations, passengers may be entitled to compensation for delays or cancellations, though the current situation is not the airlines’ fault. Airlines are likely to offer rebooking or refunds alongside support for accommodation for affected travelers.
Discussions regarding the financial responsibilities for this disruption—among the airport, airlines, electricity providers, and insurance companies—are anticipated to be complex and contentious.
Investigation Underway
London firefighters are collaborating with police to investigate the cause of the electrical substation blaze. Fire officials reported seeing massive flames and smoke erupting from the site around 11 PM on Thursday.
The fire involved a transformer holding 25,000 liters of cooling oil, creating a significant hazard due to live high-voltage equipment and the oil-fueled blaze. Initial inquiries reveal no indications of foul play.
Fire officials confirmed that a portion of the fire remains active, and efforts are ongoing to safely resolve the situation and restore power in collaboration with National Grid.
