Heathrow Airport Chaos: Air India cancels all flights; returns AI129 to Mumbai, reroutes to AI161 Frankfurt

Air India confirmed significant disruption to its flights to and from London Heathrow Airport on Friday following the its closure due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The Tata-owned airline announced that all flights scheduled for March 21 have been cancelled.

Additionally, its Heathrow-bound flights, AI129 from Mumbai is returning to its origin while AI161 from Delhi has been diverted to Frankfurt.

Passengers traveling to London Gatwick, however, are unaffected by the disruptions, said the Indian carrier.


In light of the incident, Britain's Gatwick Airport said that it would accept some of the diverted flights. "We are aware of the situation at Heathrow Airport today and are supporting as required. Flights from London Gatwick are operating as normal today," Gatwick Airport said in a post on X.

Air India also informed that it is working to manage the situation as Heathrow remains closed.

100+ flights diverted from Heathrow

Moreover, due to the temporary closure, at least 120 flights in the air were diverted to alternative locations, according to FlightRadar24.

The diversions are expected to create further delays and logistical challenges for affected airlines and their passengers, said a statement by the airport.

The situation was further worsened by ongoing cancellations and travel advisories issued by major airlines, including British Airways and Emirates.

British Airways urged passengers scheduled to travel from Heathrow on Friday to refrain from coming to the airport until further notice.

Similarly, Emirates also cancelled all flights to and from Heathrow on March 21, contributing to the mounting confusion at one of the busiest airports in the world. Air France also informed that it has cancelled eight flighs to and from the Heathrow Airport.

The UK's Heathrow Airport authorities have confirmed the ongoing disruption and advised passengers not to attempt to travel to the airport under any circumstances until operations resume.

Airport officials have also warned of significant delays and diversions over the coming days as they work to clear backlogs caused by the unexpected closure.

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updated information and alternative travel arrangements, as it remains uncertain when the situation will return to normal.

Heathrow Airport: Fire sparks power outage

One of the busiest air travel hubs globally was forced to close for the entirety following a major power failure caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed that a transformer within the substation caught fire, triggering a large-scale emergency operation.

A total of 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters were dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze.

Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne reported that firefighters successfully evacuated 29 individuals from nearby properties as a safety precaution. In addition, a 200-metre safety cordon has been established, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 150 people from the surrounding area.

With the power outage affecting crucial operations, Heathrow Airport will remain closed until further notice, causing significant disruption for passengers and flights in and out of the airport. Authorities continue to assess the situation, and passengers are advised to stay updated on the latest developments.