Heathrow Faces Legal Threats Over Power Outage Fallout

Airlines seek compensation for costs incurred during the airport's 24-hour shutdown as investigations highlight crisis management failures.

A fire at the North Hyde electrical substation caused Heathrow Airport to shut down for nearly 24 hours, disrupting over 1,300 flights and affecting up to 291,000 passengers.
SSE and National Grid confirmed Heathrow had access to alternative power supplies during the fire, but the airport failed to switch to them effectively, leading to the closure.
Airlines, represented by the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee, are considering legal action to recover expenses, including passenger care and operational costs.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has ordered an official investigation into the fire and its implications for energy resilience in critical infrastructure.
Criticism mounts over Heathrow’s lack of advanced backup systems and its crisis response, with calls for accountability and systemic improvements.