The closure of London Heathrow Airport on Friday, March 21, due to a fire-induced power outage, is causing ripple effects on flights across the United States.
A fire erupted at a power station two miles from Heathrow, leading to a major power outage that forced airport officials to shut down operations for the entire day. Fire crews took seven hours to bring the blaze under control.
As a result, Heathrow officials advised travelers not to come to the airport and instead contact their airline for updates. According to FlightRadar24, at least 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were affected, and disruptions are expected to continue for days as passengers scramble to rebook.
Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest international airports, handling over 6.3 million passengers in January alone. The airport’s high traffic volume—especially in trans-Atlantic travel—makes its closure a significant global disruption.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor, flights to and from Europe, Mexico, and Canada are common, and Heathrow serves as a key hub for international travelers. American Airlines and British Airways both operate flights between Heathrow and Phoenix, making the shutdown particularly impactful for Sky Harbor passengers.
British Airways Flight 289, originally scheduled to arrive in Phoenix at 6:25 p.m., has been canceled.
British Airways Flight 288, which was still listed as on time as of 8:00 a.m. on March 21, may still be affected.
American Airlines has no direct flights between Phoenix and London on March 21 but is expected to resume service on March 29.
Even travelers who were not booked on direct flights between Phoenix and Heathrow could experience delays or cancellations due to connecting flights in other cities.
If your flight has been impacted, contact your airline immediately for rebooking options. With Heathrow’s closure affecting thousands of travelers worldwide, passengers are advised to act quickly to secure alternative flights.
