On March 21, 2025, Heathrow Airport experienced a significant operational disruption due to a power outage caused by a major fire at a nearby electrical substation. This event resulted in widespread travel disruptions, affecting more than 1,300 flights and approximately 145,000 passengers.

Key Details:
- Cause of Disruption: The power outage was triggered by a fire at an electrical substation, necessitating the complete closure of Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs globally.
- Impact on Flights: The shutdown caused extensive delays and cancellations, leading to substantial disruptions within the aviation sector. Industry experts estimate the financial losses to potentially be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Resumption of Operations: Flights gradually resumed following the initial shutdown. The Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow expressed confidence that the airport would return to full operational capacity by the following morning.
- Ongoing Investigation: An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. Authorities, including the Metropolitan Police, have stated there is no evidence to suggest the incident was suspicious. Further inquiries are ongoing.

The full extent of the disruption's impact on global aviation operations is still under evaluation. However, the incident has already had considerable consequences for both travelers and airlines, underscoring the importance of robust contingency measures in critical infrastructure.

External References:
- CNN Live Updates ↗
- New York Times ↗
- CNN Detailed Report ↗
- Reuters Report ↗
- NBC News Live Blog ↗