An organisation representing over 90 airlines operating at the Heathrow airport has indicated that legal action will be taken if a resolution is not reached regarding the costs associated with Friday’s unprecedented closure of the airport following a fire nearby.
The fire, which broke out at a key electricity substation, led to a shutdown of Europe’s busiest airport in the early hours of Friday morning. As a result, all flight operations were suspended, affecting around 1,300 flights and disrupting travel plans for approximately 2.5 lakh passengers.
Nigel Wicking, the head of Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee, which includes major carriers, expressed hope that financial disputes arising from the incident could be resolved amicably. However, he acknowledged that pursuing legal action might become necessary if airlines did not receive adequate compensation for the incurred expenses. He emphasised that while litigation was not the preferred option, it could be the only recourse if other avenues failed.
Criticism was also directed at Heathrow’s handling of communication during the disruption. Wicking described it as unacceptable that airlines had to wait until midnight on Friday to receive confirmation about Terminal 2 reopening the following day. He argued that such delays were unjustifiable, especially given the substantial investments made in Heathrow, which remains the most expensive airport in the world.
By Friday afternoon, the airport had instructed airlines to begin preparing for a full operational schedule on Saturday, according to sources. Wicking further called for an independent investigation into the incident and the prolonged timeframe required to restore normal operations.
Heathrow has launched an internal review of its emergency management procedures. UK Energy Secretary has ordered an inquiry into the power failure.
A Heathrow spokesperson described the situation as an unprecedented challenge, noting that the airport was fully operational within 24 hours after the fire. As Europe’s largest airport, Heathrow accommodated over eight crore passengers in 2024, underscoring its critical role in global air transport.
