Heathrow airport closed – live: All flights cancelled after major power outage caused by fire

The London fire department asked people in Hayes to keep their windows and doors closed while the fire at the substation that Heathrow feeds produces major smoke volumes.

‘The fire at an electric substation in #Hayes produces a significant amount of smoke. Keep your windows and doors closed and avoid the area where possible, ‘say it on X and share a video of massive fire department the power station.

“It will be a prolonged incident, with the crew staying on the scene all night,” the fire department said.

Dozens of flights at Heathrow Airport have already been scored as flights to other airports, according to Flight Tracking website FighTradar24.

The deviations include Qantas Airways that sends its flight from Perth to Paris and a flight from United Airlines New York to Shannon, Ireland.

A United Airlines flight from San Francisco was due to land in Washington, DC rather than London.

Some US flights were seen around the middle of the air and back to their point of departure.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: ‘Heathrow is experiencing a significant power failure over the airport due to a major fire at a nearby electrical substation.

‘While fire staff responds to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power can be repaired reliably.

‘To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow to 23h59 on March 21, 2025.

“We expect significant disruption during the coming days and passengers should under no circumstances travel to the airport until the airport reopens.

“We will provide an update when more information about resuming operations is available.

“We know it will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to solve the situation.”

Heathrow Airport was closed until midnight today after experiencing a major power failure, officials said.

The break at the airport was caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation responsible for power supply to the airport, officials said.

“As a result of a fire at an electric substation delivering the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power failure. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed on March 21 to 23h59,” the official account of the airport said and advised passengers not to travel to the airport.