Thousands of passengers are experiencing flight disruptions and cancellations following a fire at a nearby substation that forced the closure of Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport.
Travelers with plans for weddings, trips to the Arctic Circle, rugby matches, and birthdays have been scrambling to find alternative arrangements.
For a more accessible video player, please use Chrome browser
Runways deserted as the substation fire is extinguished
Over 1,357 flights have been affected, according to Flight Radar data.
Follow live updates on Heathrow’s closure
Rugby juniors missing out on ‘trip of a lifetime’
Alex Wiffen says the London Irish Under 12s rugby team have had their “trip of a lifetime” to Dublin disrupted.
Forty-five girls and boys were set to transition from minis to their first junior rugby games this weekend after fundraising for the trip for a year, he stated.
A passenger waits for information about his flight to Heathrow. Pic: Reuters
“It’s a trip that has been happening for 40 years and will be the girls’ team’s inaugural trip,” says Alex.
“Our flights scheduled for 8am this morning were canceled, and now there is no way to get to Dublin.”
Read more: What are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
The players and 70 parents are now simply “hoping to get there as soon as possible” before their inaugural match against Clontarf Rugby Club tomorrow morning.
Long-awaited best friend’s wedding
A woman in Minneapolis said her husband would miss his best friend’s wedding after their flight over the Atlantic Ocean was turned back.
A passenger checks her phone as she waits to fly to Toronto via Heathrow International Airport. Pic: Reuters
“This wedding is significant, as it was postponed due to Covid and then their toddler developed leukaemia,” she said.
“Now that the wedding is finally happening, we are devastated, especially since this was the family’s first international flight,” she added.
“We are now in our car in Minneapolis heading back home at 2.40am with our wide-awake toddlers in the back seat, wondering why we aren’t in London.”
Husky-sledding in the Arctic Circle
John Climpson stated that he woke up at 3 am to catch a flight to northern Sweden for a 240 km husky sledding challenge in the Arctic Circle.
“Now the entire trip might be canceled,” he said.
“Everyone is desperately trying to rebook hotel rooms at the Terminal 2 Premier Inn,” he added.
For a more accessible video player, please use Chrome browser
Drone footage shows substation on fire
From Derby to DC for 50th birthday
Virgin Atlantic passenger Andy was supposed to be flying from Heathrow to Washington DC today to start his 50th birthday celebrations.
Instead, he’s stuck in a hotel room he booked for last night to break up the travel day.
“I live in Derby – and I’m unsure whether to stay in London or go home and wait to hear more,” he said.
Heathrow has canceled all flights until midnight on Friday.
U-turn to the US
Rafa, from London, was on a flight from Dallas when the pilot made a U-turn at 4am.
“Cannot believe that Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest and best airports, isn’t running on some sort of independent power to continue operations,” he said.
“And the decision to turn around to America is nuts, considering the numerous flight options from Germany and France back to the UK,” he added.
He concluded: “Nightmare on all accounts.”
