What in the world is going on with air travel lately?
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more chaotic for the aviation world, one of the busiest airports on the planet—London’s Heathrow—has been brought to a screeching halt. And not because of a mechanical failure or pilot strike, but a fire. Yes, a fire at an electrical substation near the airport caused a “significant power outage,” according to Heathrow officials.
In the words of an airport spokesperson: “Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we made the decision to close Heathrow until 23h59 on 21 March 2025.”
Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage.
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) March 21, 2025
To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March.
Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport… pic.twitter.com/7SWNJP8ojd
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Let that sink in. One of the world’s major transportation hubs is completely out of commission. Over 291,000 passengers on 1,351 flights were expected Friday, and now thousands are scrambling. British Airways put it plainly: the disruption “will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers.” United Airlines confirmed seven of their flights had to return to origin points or divert elsewhere. Lufthansa? All flights canceled.
If this was a one-off event, it would be a shocking inconvenience. But in context? It’s the latest flare-up in what’s becoming a troubling trend of aviation disasters and disruptions. Over just the past few months, we’ve seen mid-air emergencies, near-miss collisions and deadly crashes across the globe. Airports have shut down due to snowstorms, IT system failures, and now—fires.
The London Fire Brigade responded with 70 firefighters and 10 engines to get the blaze under control, and they deserve serious credit. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne called it a “very visible and significant incident,” noting crews worked “in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.” By 6:30 a.m., the flames were extinguished—but the damage was already done.
Power outages, rebookings, flight cancellations—this has become the new normal. And it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a safety concern, an economic disruption and a growing sign of fragility in our global infrastructure.
/**/If you’re traveling soon, here’s the bottom line: expect the unexpected. Heathrow’s message is crystal clear: “Passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens.”
Maybe it’s time we ask harder questions. Why is critical infrastructure so vulnerable? What measures are being taken to prevent future disasters? And are we prepared for the ripple effects when global travel takes a hit like this?
As we pray for those impacted and for safety in the skies, let’s not ignore the warning signs. The world is groaning—and maybe God is trying to tell us something.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
