A major fire at an electrical substation caused a significant power outage, leading to the closure of London's Heathrow Airport on March 21. This incident has prompted investigations by both the British government and Heathrow officials into the handling of the situation and its implications for national infrastructure resilience. Airlines are working hard to recover from the disruptions while offering waivers to affected travelers.

Investigations Into the Power Failure

The UK government and Heathrow Airport have launched separate inquiries into the causes and management of the power outage that disrupted Europe's busiest air hub. These reviews aim to evaluate system vulnerabilities and improve crisis response strategies.

Following the massive blackout, Britain’s energy ministry tasked the National Energy System Operator with conducting an urgent investigation. The inquiry focuses on assessing the robustness of the country’s critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Heathrow appointed former transport minister Ruth Kelly to lead an independent review of their crisis management protocols. This step aims to strengthen the airport's preparedness for future incidents. Both investigations underscore the need to ensure reliable power supply and effective emergency responses in critical sectors.

Restoration and Airline Adjustments

Heathrow Airport resumed full operations after recovering from the power outage, though airlines continue to grapple with delays and cancellations stemming from the event. Passengers are being accommodated through travel waivers and schedule adjustments.

Despite resuming normal schedules, airlines face challenges in compensating for lost time due to the prolonged shutdown. British Airways, which operates primarily out of Heathrow, announced a near-complete flight roster shortly after reopening. Other carriers extended fare change waivers to assist passengers impacted by the outage. The disruption affected over 290,000 passengers scheduled for Friday flights. Firefighters responded swiftly to contain the blaze at the substation, minimizing further damage. Heathrow assured travelers of restored services while acknowledging ongoing efforts to address residual operational issues.