Gulf carriers cancel and divert flights after flames engulfed the electrical station at Heathrow Airport [Getty]
Flights between the MENA region and the UK were severely impacted on Friday after a fire at an electrical substation led to the closure of Heathrow Airport in London.
The disruption grounded more than 1,000 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or scrambling for alternative routes. UAE airliners Emirates and Etihad Airways were among those affected by the shutdown.
Emirates announced the cancellation of flights EK001/002, EK029/030, and EK031/032, advising passengers to contact booking agents for rebooking options.
In a statement, the airline said: “Passengers connecting onto the flights to London Heathrow will not be accepted for travel until further notice at the point of origin. We’re monitoring the situation closely and will update our customers as the situation develops.
“Customers are also advised to check our website for updates before their travel and to ensure their contact details are updated by visiting Manage Your Booking to receive the latest notifications.”
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways also confirmed multiple cancellations, including flights EY63, EY64, EY65, and EY66, while its EY61 service to Heathrow was diverted to Frankfurt.
Passengers face travel chaos
The unexpected shutdown caused widespread disruption for UAE residents travelling to the UK. Many were forced to seek alternative flights to other UK airports, with some opting for connections via European hubs.
The shutdown also impacted those travelling from the UK to the Emirates. Many passengers faced uncertainty as Heathrow remained closed for the day. With flight availability dwindling, some were left stranded without clear rebooking options.
The closure of Heathrow, a key hub for global travel, has been described as a major disruption to international aviation. According to Flight Radar, at least 1,351 flights were affected, with further delays expected as airlines work to reposition aircraft.
Emirates alone runs 42 weekly flights between Dubai and Heathrow. While British authorities continue to investigate the incident, the long-term impact of the shutdown could be significant, with industry experts warning of continued delays and cancellations in the coming days.
The Metropolitan police have confirmed that the counter-terrorism command is leading enquires about the source of the fire at the substation in Hayes and said ruled out “foul play”.Â
In a statement, the Met said: “Given the location of the sub-station and the impact this incident has had on critical national infrastructure, the Met’s counter-terrorism command is now leading inquiries.
“This is due to the specialist resources and capabilities within that command that can assist in progressing this investigation at pace to minimise disruption and identify the cause.”
Travel agencies in the UAE have advised passengers with upcoming flights to Heathrow to consider postponing travel or exploring alternative routes.
Godly Babukutty, managing director of Epic Travels in Dubai, called the incident “one of the worst airport shutdowns in history,” warning that the ripple effects will be felt for days.
