21 March 2025

Temporary closure of Heathrow Airport

A fire at the airport caused hijacked flights and inconvenience for passengers. The situation is under control, but caution is recommended for those traveling

Moments of tension at Heathrow Airport, London's main airport and one of the most important in Europe, due to a fire that caused a temporary closure of flight operations for today 21 March 2025 (until 23:59). The smoke, visible from the arrivals area of Terminal 2, required immediate intervention by emergency services. The fire at the Hayes electrical substation in the west suburbs of London has caused a power outage at the airport.

What happened at Heathrow?

According to the official heathrow.com website, the fire was caused by a technical failure in an electrical system located in the service rooms of the terminal. The timely intervention of the fire brigade made it possible to tame the flames in a short time, avoiding greater damage and ensuring the safety of passengers and staff. No injuries were reported.

Diverted flights and suspended departures: what to know if you need to fly from Heathrow

During the emergency phase:

All incoming flights have been diverted to other London airports, such as Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.
Departures have been suspended, generating chain delays on numerous routes.
Terminal 2 has been evacuated to allow for security checks.

Useful information for travellers

If you're planning to leave or arrive at Heathrow in the next few hours, here's what to do:

Check the status of your flight on the official website heathrow.com or the airline's channels. The airport advises passengers not to go to the airport and contact their airline for more information.
Consider alternative means of getting to London in case of hijacking (trains, National Express buses, private transfers).

Heathrow is the gateway for millions of tourists heading to London, the historic cities of the United Kingdom or connecting to the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Any disruption to operations can also impact package travel, hotel bookings, and secondary travel.

London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow is the UK's international gateway, Europe's largest airport and the world's most connected megahub , connecting over 200 destinations. The airport welcomes over 200,000 passengers on around 1,300 flights each day and serves as a British hub for trade, tourism and investment. Around 75,000 people work at Heathrow, with the airport employing around 10% directly, with the rest working for Team Heathrow partners, including airlines, ground handlers and retailers.

Edited by the Editorial staff, Avion Tourism Magazine

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