Thousands of travelers faced major disruptions this morning (Friday, March 21) as London's Heathrow Airport shut down completely for the first time in 15 years. All terminals at the airport, one of the world's busiest, are closed, with no flights arriving or departing for the entire day.
The shutdown was triggered by a fire on Thursday night at the nearby North Hyde electrical substation. The fire damaged primary and backup transformers, causing a major power outage at the airport.
Authorities managed to control the fire by Friday morning, but the airport announced that no flights will take off or land until at least 11:59pm. GMT today.
According to Flightrader24, at least 1,351 flights and 145,000 passengers will be affected. Many flights will be canceled entirely, while some inbound flights may be diverted to other airports. The closure is causing travel chaos, and will likely affect flights over the next few days. Here's what you need to know.
What caused the Heathrow airport fire?
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and counter-terrorism police are investigating, but no foul play is suspected.
Is my flight to London canceled?
Consult your airline to see if your flight has been canceled. Airlines have released statements detailing how they will handle cancellations, rescheduling and compensation.
Alternative London airports for U.S. travelers
While many flights have been outright canceled, some are being diverted to other London airports including Gatwick and Birmingham. Some flights are being diverted temporarily to airports in other countries, including Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
Airline rebooking and compensation info
Check with your airline to see their compensation policies. All airlines should rebook your flight or offer compensation if your flight is canceled. If you are flying from another U.K. or E.U. airport, you are covered by British law. Find out how the law applies to your flight here.