London Heathrow Airport shutdown disrupts passengers at JFK, Newark Liberty International Airport
A power outage at London's Heathrow Airport on Friday shuttered one of the world's busiest travel hubs after a fire at an electrical substation nearby.
Heathrow's closure may have impacted approximately 200,000 travelers worldwide, including many trying to fly into and out of New York City.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is Heathrow's busiest travel route, with roughly 146 flights to and from New York City per week, according to the FlightRadar24 live tracking website. There are 21 flights from Heathrow to JFK every day except Sunday, when 20 are scheduled. Twenty-three flights were scheduled to travel from JFK to Heathrow on Friday.
Travelers are urged to check with their carriers and the JFK website to see the status of their flights.
Officials said they expected flights to resume at Heathrow later Friday, but travelers should expect "significant disruption over the coming days." Some could be forced to find alternate routes as more flights are disrupted or diverted.
Authorities said it wasn't clear what caused the substation fire, but London's Metropolitan Police said there was "currently no indication of foul play."
"We just want to go home"
At JFK, people have been stranded all day.
"We just want to go home," Carys McNally said. "I know it's out of their control, but it's not our fault either."
"It's a disappointing end to good few days," Ross Riley said.
"I've got events planned tomorrow that I need to take my daughter, but now she has to find an alternative," Ade Aluko said.
It was a similar situation at Newark Liberty International Airport.
"We had taken off and we were probably around Greenland. About halfway there, and the flight just did a full 180 back to JFK," passenger James Crothers said.
"Trip is paid for. We have tickets and things, reservations booked. Airbnb's paid for. So we're kind of at the point we will do anything to get there," Taylor Martindale said.
"Nobody can reach British Airways. There's nothing you can do about that. No, and everyone's been calling," said Denyse Darrabie.
The fire also forced flights from Boston to London to return to Logan Airport.
