UK Government Orders Probe into Heathrow Shutdown

The British government has launched an investigation into the country’s "energy resilience" after an electrical substation fire shut down Heathrow Airport for nearly a day, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the U.K.'s critical infrastructure.

While Heathrow is now "fully operational," thousands of passengers remain stranded, and airlines warn of ongoing disruptions as they work to reposition planes and crews.

Passengers, airlines, and politicians are demanding explanations on how a single fire could cripple Europe's busiest air hub. "This is a huge embarrassment for Heathrow and for the country," said Toby Harris, chair of the National Preparedness Commission.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has directed the National Energy System Operator to "urgently investigate" the fire and assess broader energy resilience issues, with initial findings expected in six weeks. Heathrow has also launched an internal review, led by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly.

Over 1,300 flights were canceled, affecting about 200,000 passengers after an overnight fire at a substation two miles away cut power to Heathrow and 60,000 properties. The airport added extra flights to accommodate 10,000 more passengers on Saturday. British Airways, Heathrow’s largest airline, resumed about 85% of its scheduled flights.

However, many travelers remain stranded. Laura Fritschie, from Kansas City, was en route to Chicago after her father’s death but was stuck when her BA flight was canceled. "I just want to go home," she said.

Residents reported hearing an explosion before seeing a fireball and smoke. The fire, controlled after seven hours, shut Heathrow for nearly 18 hours. Authorities do not consider it suspicious, and the London Fire Brigade is investigating the substation’s electrical distribution equipment.

The disruption has sparked debates on Britain's aging infrastructure, much of which has been privatized since the 1980s. Labour leaders have pledged to modernize transport, water, and energy systems while boosting renewable energy investment.

Heathrow, which handled 83.9 million passengers last year, defended its response. CEO Thomas Woldbye stated, "The airport didn’t shut for days, just hours." He added that Heathrow’s backup power functioned as designed but wasn’t enough to run the entire airport—an industry standard.

However, Willie Walsh, head of aviation trade body IATA, questioned Heathrow’s preparedness. "How is critical infrastructure dependent on a single power source without an alternative? This is a clear planning failure," he said, noting airlines bear the cost of passenger disruptions.

The chaos echoed past disruptions like the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption, which halted European flights for days. Passengers on 120 flights mid-air when Heathrow closed were diverted, some to different countries.

Mark Doherty, rerouted back to New York, criticized the handling of the crisis. "Typical England—no backup plan. No contingency plan."