Newsroom
A major power outage at Heathrow Airport has thrown international travel into disarray, grounding thousands of flights and leaving passengers stranded. Two flights between Larnaca and Heathrow were canceled today, with uncertainty hanging over others as the UK’s busiest airport struggles to restore operations.
The crisis began on Friday when a fire broke out at an electrical substation, knocking out power to large sections of the airport. While authorities insist there is no evidence of foul play, counter-terrorism officials have been called in to investigate as a precaution. British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the fire as “catastrophic,” noting that even Heathrow’s backup generators had been damaged.
Cyprus Flights Affected
Hermes Airports confirmed that British Airways canceled two flights between Larnaca and Heathrow—one scheduled to arrive in Cyprus at 5:50 p.m. and another that was due to depart at 6:45 p.m. An earlier morning flight from Larnaca to Heathrow at 7:40 a.m. was also scrapped.
Heathrow remaining closed until at least midnight—and possibly longer—uncertainty surrounds other scheduled flights, including one expected to land in Larnaca at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday.
Global Disruptions and Passenger Chaos
The shutdown of one of the world’s busiest airports has rippled across the global travel network. More than 1,350 flights were scheduled to operate at Heathrow today, carrying nearly 300,000 passengers. Many incoming flights have been diverted to other European airports, creating additional complications.
Industry experts warn that travelers rerouted to alternative airports may face long layovers, with some stranded in terminals due to visa restrictions preventing them from leaving. The disruption has also hit airline stocks, with British Airways’ parent company, IAG, among those affected.
Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 described the situation as a nightmare for international airlines. “Heathrow is one of the world’s largest hubs,” said spokesman Ian Pecenik. “This will disrupt airline operations around the world.”
As the chaos continues, travelers are urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. With no clear timeline for full restoration, Heathrow’s shutdown is expected to cause delays and cancellations well into the weekend.
