MUMBAI: Air India has announced significant disruptions to its London operations after Heathrow Airport suspended all services due to a major power outage. The suspension, which will remain in effect until 23:59 London time on March 21, has forced the airline to cancel multiple flights and divert others to alternative destinations.
Flight AI129 from Mumbai is returning to its origin, while AI161 from Delhi has been diverted to Frankfurt. The airline has also cancelled all remaining flights to and from London Heathrow scheduled for March 21, including the morning flight AI111. Air India’s services to London Gatwick remain unaffected, according to an Air India spokesperson.
The closure of one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs was triggered by a severe fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 21, required an emergency response of ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade, said media reports.
The transformer fire caused widespread power disruptions affecting thousands of homes and businesses in the surrounding areas. Safety measures included the evacuation of around 150 people and the establishment of a 200-meter security cordon around the affected site.
The impact on global air travel has been substantial, with over 1,300 flights affected, according to flight tracking websites. Major carriers including Qantas Airways and United Airlines have been forced to reroute their aircraft to alternative European airports such as Paris and Shannon.
Heathrow Airport authorities have advised passengers to avoid traveling to the airport and to maintain contact with their airlines for updated flight information. The situation remains dynamic as authorities work to restore power and resume normal operations.
This is not the first time Heathrow has faced significant operational challenges. The airport experienced a major shutdown in December 2010 due to heavy snowfall, which resulted in thousands of flight cancellations over several days. In July 2013, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner fire on the tarmac also caused temporary disruptions.
The current power outage presents a particular challenge for Air India, which operates multiple daily flights between Indian cities and London Heathrow. “The airline’s decision to cancel all Heathrow operations for the day reflects the severity of the situation and the uncertainty surrounding power restoration at the airport,” said an airport source.
While flights to London Gatwick continue as scheduled, the disruption at Heathrow has left many passengers seeking alternative travel arrangements. The timing of service resumption remains unclear, with airport authorities continuing to assess the situation.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of major aviation hubs to infrastructure failures and the cascading effect such disruptions can have on global air travel. As engineers work to restore power to the affected areas, airlines and passengers alike await further updates on when normal operations at Heathrow can resume.
Air India said it will provide updates about the resumption of operations as soon as more information becomes available. Passengers are advised to monitor the airline’s official communications channels for the latest updates on flight statuses and alternative arrangements.