Heathrow Airport Closure: What Travellers Need to Know

Today, travellers at Heathrow Airport are facing an unexpected and frustrating disruption. A fire at a nearby electrical substation has caused a major power outage at the airport, leading to the temporary closure of the airport. This outage is affecting thousands of passengers, with flights delayed or cancelled throughout the day and likely into the coming days.

If you’re travelling through Heathrow or planning a trip, here’s what you need to know and how to handle the situation.

What Happened at Heathrow?

The power outage at Heathrow was triggered by a fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, a suburb of west London. The fire has knocked out power to key parts of the airport, forcing authorities to suspend all flights for the time being. British Airways, which operates a large portion of flights at Heathrow, has grounded all of its flights.

The situation is still unfolding, and officials are working to restore power and get flights back on track. However, until that happens, the airport remains closed to flights, causing chaos for travellers who were expecting to depart or arrive today.

How Is the Closure Affecting Travellers?

With the power outage causing widespread disruption, travellers are facing serious delays and uncertainty. Here’s how the closure is impacting those trying to travel:

• Flights Cancelled and Delayed: A large number of flights have been cancelled, with many others facing long delays. British Airways has suspended all flights, and it's unclear when the airport will be fully operational again. Many travellers are left with limited options for rescheduling, and with flight schedules thrown into disarray, it’s likely to be a few days before things are back to normal.
• Rerouted Flights: The ripple effect of this closure is being felt globally, with flights being redirected to other airports. For travellers connecting through Heathrow, this means missing connecting flights and facing the possibility of being rerouted to other airports in the region, such as Gatwick or Stansted.

What To Do if You’re Affected?

If you’re travelling today or in the coming days, here are some tips to help you navigate the ongoing Heathrow disruption:

1. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on updates from your airline, Heathrow Airport, and local news outlets. You can also monitor social media for real-time updates from your airline and the airport. British Airways and other airlines are providing guidance for affected passengers, but delays in communication can happen.
2. Contact Your Airline: If you have a flight departing from Heathrow today, contact your airline for rebooking. British Airways and other airlines are likely working to reroute passengers, but this will take time. Some may be redirected to other nearby airports like Gatwick or Stansted, so flexibility is key.
3. Avoid Going to the Airport: If you were planning to travel to Heathrow today, it is advisable to stay home or at your accommodation. With the airport closed to flights, staff and resources are likely overwhelmed. There’s no need to join the thousands of other stranded travellers.
4. Know Your Rights: In the event of flight cancellations or delays, passengers are entitled to certain compensation, depending on their flight’s length and the duration of the disruption. For European Union flights, compensation may be available for long delays or cancellations. Check with your airline for details.
5. Consider Other Airports: If you must travel soon, consider rerouting through other London-area airports, such as Gatwick or Stansted. However, availability of flights may be limited due to the high volume of diverted passengers from Heathrow.

Travel Insurance: How It Could Help During Disruptions

If you're seeking compensation due to the disruption, it's important to contact your airline directly before exploring alternative solutions. Airlines typically offer compensation for cancellations and delays, and it's usually necessary to follow their claims process first.

Once you’ve explored what the airline offers, your travel insurance could help cover any additional expenses not compensated by the airline. If you have travel insurance for your trip, here’s how it could assist you:

• Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation: Many travel insurance policies include compensation for flight delays or cancellations, which can help you recoup costs incurred from the disruption.
• Alternative Transport Costs: If you're rerouted or your original flight is cancelled, your travel insurance might help cover the cost of alternative transport. This is particularly useful if you need to find a last-minute solution, such as booking a train, bus, or flight from another nearby airport.
• Trip Interruption Coverage: If the disruption leads to changes in your travel plans, such as missed connections or a delay in reaching the next part of your trip, travel insurance may help cover the costs of rebooking flights, accommodation, or other necessary changes to your plans.

Get Peace of Mind with Voyager Plus Travel Insurance

Voyager Plus policies offer four levels of cover, including Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance options, access to GP on Demand, and include cover for the following:

• Cancellation Cover – up to £10,000
• Journey Disruption – up to £1,000
• Baggage Cover – up to £3,500
• 100s of activities covered as standard
• And so much more!

Click here to find out more about our Voyager Plus Travel Insurance.

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording for the latest terms, conditions, and exclusions.