LONDON – The aviation industry faces a significant crisis as Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, came to a standstill following a power outage triggered by a fire at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, London. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, March, at 11:23 PM GMT, forced the complete suspension of all airport operations throughout today, Friday, March 21.
The temporary closure of Heathrow affects hundreds of airlines and an estimated hundreds of thousands of passengers, not only in the UK but also across Europe and globally. With Heathrow serving as a key transit point for travelers especially from South-, Southeast-, and East Asia, the consequences were particularly severe for flights originating from major Asian aviation hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Thousands of passengers en route to London are stranded at their departure airports, unable to board flights due to Heathrow’s operational freeze. The backlog led to a cascade of rebookings, cancellations, and delays, which further strained already stretched airline resources.
Impact on Asian Travelers and Airline Responses
Passengers flying with major Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air experienced significant disruptions. Many travelers found themselves stuck at departure airports in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Manila, where overnight accommodation is often not included in standard airline contracts. Unlike some Western airlines that routinely provide hotel accommodations during extended delays, budget constraints and high passenger volumes in many ASEAN airports meant that thousands are spending long hours inside terminals with limited access to facilities.
At major hubs like Singapore Changi, Hong Kong International Airport, and Tokyo Narita, airlines scrambled to rebook flights and offer compensation packages. However, with hotels in these transit locations quickly filling up, airlines faced increasing pressure to accommodate displaced passengers. For many, rebooking options were limited, as aircraft originally scheduled for Heathrow were now stuck in different parts of the world, leading to logistical nightmares.
Financial Toll on Asian Airlines and Airports
Industry analysts estimate that the Heathrow shutdown could cost Asian airlines and airports tens of millions of dollars in extra expenses. Airlines had to issue meal vouchers, book alternative flights, and in some cases, arrange additional hotel stays for passengers. The costliest impact, however, stemmed from the disruption of long-haul schedules, as aircraft rotation and crew assignments were thrown into disarray.
Singapore Airlines, for instance, reported significant operational disruptions, with flight reassignments causing delays on other routes. Cathay Pacific had to adjust its entire London-bound schedule, affecting connections to North America. Budget airlines such as AirAsia and Scoot, which have tighter margins, struggled to manage the fallout, as passengers demanded refunds and alternative travel arrangements.
The Broader Economic Fallout
Beyond direct airline costs, the temporary closure of Heathrow is expected to have a long-term financial impact on tourism, business travel, and cargo shipments. Asian businesses dependent on the UK market for trade and investment are likely to see delays in shipments and meetings, further compounding losses. Heathrow’s role as a major European gateway means that any extended disruption has a domino effect on supply chains and business operations worldwide. (zai)
Photo: Heathrow Airport Company