Heathrow Airport has been forced to close all day after a huge inferno left at least 1,351 flights cancelled.
The UK's largest airport was reduced to chaos in the early hours of Friday morning after a blaze at a nearby electrical substation caused a mass power outage overnight.
More than 16,300 homes have also been facing blackouts due to the fire raging from the electrical substation in Hayes.
Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines are battling the blaze on Nestle Avenue, London Fire Brigade has revealed.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at around 11.30pm last night, with Heathrow confirming its closure just a few hours later at 2am this morning.
More than 200,000 people travel through the airport every day and the chaos is expected to be drawn out over the weekend.
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: "Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation.
"Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored.
"To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 11.59pm on 21 March 2025.
"We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.
"We will provide an update when more information on the resumption of operations is available. We know this will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation."
FlightRadar24 believes the chaos will affect at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow Airport.
Such a scenario would leave as many as 145,000 travellers impacted.
However, Gatwick Airport is now preparing to provide assistance for holidaymakers still looking to make the most of their scheduled getaways.
In a statement, Gatwick Airport said: “We are aware of the situation at Heathrow Airport today and stand ready to support as required.
“Flights are operating from London Gatwick as normal today.”
Commuters heading into London this morning will also face disruption on the Elizabeth Line with "severe delays" reported on the service.
Transport for London said: "No service between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport and SEVERE DELAYS between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington due to a power supply failure at Heathrow Airport.
"Tickets are accepted on London Buses and London Underground. GOOD SERVICE on the rest of the line."
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The UK's largest airport was reduced to chaos in the early hours of Friday morning after a blaze at a nearby electrical substation caused a mass power outage overnight.
More than 16,300 homes have also been facing blackouts due to the fire raging from the electrical substation in Hayes.
Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines are battling the blaze on Nestle Avenue, London Fire Brigade has revealed.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at around 11.30pm last night, with Heathrow confirming its closure just a few hours later at 2am this morning.
More than 200,000 people travel through the airport every day and the chaos is expected to be drawn out over the weekend.
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: "Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation.
"Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored.
"To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 11.59pm on 21 March 2025.
"We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.
"We will provide an update when more information on the resumption of operations is available. We know this will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation."
FlightRadar24 believes the chaos will affect at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow Airport.
Such a scenario would leave as many as 145,000 travellers impacted.
However, Gatwick Airport is now preparing to provide assistance for holidaymakers still looking to make the most of their scheduled getaways.
In a statement, Gatwick Airport said: “We are aware of the situation at Heathrow Airport today and stand ready to support as required.
“Flights are operating from London Gatwick as normal today.”
Commuters heading into London this morning will also face disruption on the Elizabeth Line with "severe delays" reported on the service.
Transport for London said: "No service between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport and SEVERE DELAYS between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington due to a power supply failure at Heathrow Airport.
"Tickets are accepted on London Buses and London Underground. GOOD SERVICE on the rest of the line."
Find Out More...