Heathrow Airport Fire and Closure

United Kingdom — Heathrow Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, was forced to shut down for an entire day on March 21, 2025, following a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The blaze caused a significant power outage, disrupting over 1,350 flights and affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers globally. Airlines such as International Airlines Group — British Airways, United Airlines, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic experienced widespread cancellations and diversions, leading to substantial financial losses and operational chaos. The United Kingdom — London Fire Brigade deployed 70 firefighters to control the blaze, which also caused power outages for over 16,300 homes and businesses. The United Kingdom — Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit led the investigation into the fire's cause due to the critical nature of the infrastructure, though no foul play was initially suspected. The incident sparked criticism from the airline industry and government officials, raising serious questions about the resilience of the United Kingdom's critical infrastructure.