UAE-based Emirates cancels... | Connecting Travel

Shutdown could directly impact more than 300,000 passengers worldwide

London’s Heathrow Airport is to remain shut all day on Friday 21 March, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.

More than 1,350 flights and almost 300,000 passengers could be affected worldwide, including those travelling to and from the GCC region.

The London hub – the world's second busiest after Dubai – is experiencing a “significant power outage” because of a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, a statement from Heathrow said.

“To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23:59 on 21 March,” the airport posted on X.

“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

Emirates cancels all flights
Emirates has said it has cancelled all flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to London Heathrow on Friday March 21.

"Passengers booked or connecting onto the cancelled flights to London Heathrow will not be accepted for travel. We're monitoring the situation closely and will update our customers as the situation develops," Emirates said in a statement.

Etihad Airways has diverted flight EY61 from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt and also cancelled four flights on the Heathrow-Abu Dhabi route. These include EY63, EY64, EY65, and EY66.

Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports and had a record 83.9 million passengers last year, with a plane landing or taking off around every 45 seconds.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, airlines had been scheduled to operate 669 flights from Heathrow on 21 March, equating to more than 145,000 seats. A further 669 flights were due to arrive, representing 145,836 seats.

For more information, visit www.heathrow.com