A violent fire has interested a substation, an operational section of London-Heathrow airport (see AVIONEWS), triggering a series of disruptions and delays in air connections, with repercussions that go far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. Airport authorities and emergency services have reacted promptly to contain the flames and ensure the safety of passengers and staff, while the incident is one of the most serious in recent times. In total, around 1,350 flights have been cancelled, and many have been diverted to alternative airports such as Gatwick.

According to initial confirmations, the fire broke out in an area designated for technical and maintenance operations, causing not only extensive material damage but also a significant impact on the daily activities of the airport. Firefighting teams intervened quickly, limiting the spread of the flames and preventing further safety risks. Although the causes of the fire are still under investigation, initial hypotheses point to a technical fault that could have triggered a chain reaction. The resulting blackout affected the entire airport area and beyond, also involving buildings and civilian homes in the surrounding area.

The effects on an international scale were almost immediate, and led to:

- Air traffic disruptions: with the temporary halt of numerous flights, both departing and arriving, serious complications have arisen in the management of international traffic, causing delays and inconvenience to thousands of passengers.

- Impact on logistics chains: The halt in airport operations has also negatively impacted cargo deliveries and connections between major trade hubs.

- Airline stocks down on the stock market: financial markets have seen some volatility following the event, especially in sensitive sectors such as aviation and logistics. The stocks of the major European carriers are trading in the red.

The institutions responsible have implemented a series of extraordinary measures to deal with the emergency; while airlines have activated emergency plans, communicating updated information and alternatives to their passengers to continue their travels. At the moment, however, the situation seems to be under control thanks to the timely action of technicians and airport operators. The flames have been largely extinguished, while operations to verify and restore the damaged infrastructure continue.

Regarding flight cancellations, given the dynamic nature of the situation, the list may change and it is therefore advisable to consult the official websites of the carriers or the airport for updated information. However, the main cancelled connections to and from Italy include:

From Heathrow to Italy:

- British Airways – flight BA 394: scheduled connection from Heathrow to Rome-Fiumicino.

- British Airways – flight BA 445: direct service to Milan-Malpensa.

- easyJet – flight EZ 202: planned route from Heathrow to Naples.

- Ryanair – flight FR 1067: connection to Catania.

From Italy to Heathrow:

- British Airways – flight BA 215: route arriving from Rome-Fiumicino.

- British Airways – flight BA 276: direct service from Milan-Malpensa.

- Vueling – flight VY 405: connection arriving from Naples.

Airport authorities have stated that although some verification and restoration operations are still underway, a gradual return to normality is expected in the next few hours and, in general, within the next few days.

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