London’s Heathrow Airport shut down for the entire day following a massive fire at a nearby power substation, causing a major blackout that disrupted flight schedules worldwide.

Heathrow’s management announced that the airport—scheduled to handle 1,351 flights and up to 291,000 passengers today—would remain closed until midnight due to the power outage.

At the same time, passengers shared their frustration over delays, cancellations, and lack of communication following the Heathrow shutdown.

“We Were Treated Miserably,” Say Passengers

Sarah Mehta, a first-class passenger traveling from Dubai with British Airways, expressed her outrage at how the airline handled the Heathrow closure.

Speaking to Sky News, she recounted how she and her husband were left waiting for hours without any information before finally requesting to disembark and reclaim their luggage—two hours after their scheduled departure.

“We are first-class passengers, and we were treated miserably,” she said.

“We were flying first class, and now we can’t get home until Tuesday,” she added, noting that other airlines, like Emirates, had already canceled their flights earlier in the day.

Similarly, Faisal Hamid, a British expatriate, described the moment his flight from Dubai made an abrupt 180-degree turn without explanation.

“Panic spread through the cabin until the pilot announced that due to the power outage at Heathrow, we were returning to Dubai,” he explained.

Hamid and his two young children, aged one and six, endured a seven-hour flight meant to take them back to the UK for the first time since the summer—only to be sent back.

Hotel Prices Triple Amid Chaos

The unexpected airport shutdown sparked outrage over skyrocketing hotel prices near Heathrow.

Louis, a 28-year-old passenger scheduled to fly to Dublin, accused hotels of exploiting stranded travelers.

“Prices have doubled, even tripled in some cases. It’s outrageous. They’re profiting off people’s misfortune, and I don’t understand how this is allowed,” he said.

No Signs of Criminal Activity, Say Authorities

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he is receiving regular updates on the fire, which led to Heathrow’s closure, and remains in close contact with authorities on the scene.

“I know the situation at Heathrow is causing disruption and difficulties, especially for travelers,” Starmer posted on X. “I am receiving regular updates and remain in close contact with the relevant authorities.”

The British police confirmed that while there are no indications of criminal activity related to the fire, due to the severity of the incident, the counterterrorism unit is leading the investigation.

Authorities emphasized that the special unit has the necessary resources to conduct a rapid inquiry. Meanwhile, police are working alongside London’s fire service to determine the fire’s cause.

Energy Minister Ed Miliband also stated earlier that there was no evidence of foul play.

Jonathan Smith, a senior London Fire Brigade official, explained that the fire involved a transformer containing 25,000 liters of cooling oil, which ignited.

“This created a significant hazard due to the high-voltage equipment still being active and the nature of the oil-fueled fire,” he added.

The incident forced Heathrow—Europe’s busiest airport—to shut down, disrupting global air travel and sparking speculation over the fire’s origins.

Smith clarified that 10% of the initial fire remains active, and firefighters are working to ensure its safe containment. They will collaborate with the national power grid to assess the facilities and restore electricity as soon as possible.