Heathrow Airport experienced a significant shutdown due to a major electrical fire that disrupted operations at one of the world's busiest airports. As a result, over 1,300 flights were canceled, causing widespread travel chaos for passengers heading to London. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with counterterrorism teams involved. The airport is expected to remain closed at least through midnight Friday. The incident poses considerable challenges for air traffic management and safety, particularly affecting planes already in flight, and is likely to have extensive regional impacts in Northern Europe.
Authorities said there was no immediate indication of what caused the fire or evidence that it was set deliberately, but they were not ruling it out.
Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe, handling a record 83.9 million passengers last year, and the fifth-busiest in the world.
Train service to and from the airport was also down. Pubs and hotels nearby quickly filled with passengers and their luggage.
Guy Gratton noted the closure would be 'very significant' and would probably have 'knock-on effects all around Northern Europe.'
#heathrow-airport #travel-disruption #electrical-fire #aviation-safety #counterterrorism-investigations
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