A sudden fire at a power substation near Heathrow Airport triggered widespread chaos, resulting in the cancellation of over 1,300 flights and affecting approximately 200,000 passengers. While the airport has since reopened, airlines face ongoing challenges as they work to restore normal operations.

The incident began late Thursday night when a fire erupted at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, west London, a facility that provides power to Heathrow. The fire knocked out critical systems, leading to a massive disruption that continued into the weekend. British Airways, the airport’s largest airline, canceled nearly 80 additional flights on Saturday, exacerbating the already complex situation. Planes, pilots, and cabin crews found themselves stranded at various airports, creating a logistical nightmare.

Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, described the situation as "an unprecedented situation" and warned of a "substantial impact" on the airline and its customers for days to come. The mismatch between available aircraft and crew, compounded by mandatory rest periods for flight personnel, has forced further cancellations and route adjustments.

Aviation experts suggest the disruption could persist into the coming week. John Strickland, an aviation consultant, noted the challenge of repositioning long-haul aircraft and crews, emphasizing the difficulties airlines face in returning to normal schedules. Heathrow attempted to alleviate the strain by adding 50 extra takeoff and landing slots, but airlines struggling with staffing and aircraft shortages found limited relief.

The electrical outage exposed a vulnerability in Heathrow’s infrastructure, sparking criticism from industry veterans. Willie Walsh, former head of British Airways and current Director General of IATA, labeled the outage a "clear planning failure." Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye acknowledged that while critical systems had backup power, they were not designed to run the entire airport. He indicated a review of standby power solutions to enhance resilience.

National Grid, the operator of the affected substation, confirmed power restoration and outlined steps to improve network resilience. Investigations into the fire are ongoing, with the London Fire Brigade focusing on the substation’s electrical distribution systems as a potential cause, after the Metropolitan Police ruled out foul play.

The timing of the outage exacerbated the difficulties, occurring as the travel season ramps up and airports operate near capacity. Passengers experienced last-minute cancellations, rebookings, and diversions. Airlines are urging travelers to check flight statuses and are offering waivers for rebooking fees or full refunds.

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Willie Walsh, the International Air Transport Association’s director general, also criticized Heathrow airport in as a result of the disruption, reports the PA news agency. “This is yet another case of Heathrow letting down both travellers and airlines,” he said.

The recovery will be gradual, requiring patience from travelers as airlines adjust schedules and reposition aircraft. The incident highlights the potential for a single power facility failure to cause widespread disruption, impacting global air travel schedules.