A major power failure has thrown one of the world's busiest airports into complete disarray, grounding all flights and causing travel chaos for thousands of passengers.
Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 was plunged into darkness on Tuesday afternoon following what airport officials have described as a 'significant power cut'. The electrical fault brought all operations to an abrupt halt, leaving travellers stranded and sparking scenes of confusion.
Total Standstill at Terminal 3
The power outage affected critical systems including check-in desks, baggage handling operations, and security processing. Passengers already airside faced being stuck on planes that had landed but couldn't reach gates, while those in departures found themselves in increasingly crowded conditions with limited information.
An airport spokesperson confirmed the severity of the situation: "We're experiencing a power issue in Terminal 3 which is impacting all systems. Our teams are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We apologise for the disruption."
Passenger Frustration Mounts
Social media quickly flooded with images and videos showing long queues forming at information desks and crowded departure lounges. Many passengers reported receiving minimal communication from airlines about the status of their flights.
One frustrated traveller tweeted: "Complete chaos at Heathrow T3. No power, no information, just hundreds of people standing around wondering if they'll ever get to their destination."
Knock-on Effects Expected
Aviation experts warn that the disruption is likely to continue throughout the evening and into Wednesday, even after power is restored. The grounding of numerous flights will have a knock-on effect across Heathrow's entire operation and potentially affect other airports connected to cancelled services.
Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport and to expect significant delays and cancellations. Those whose flights are affected may be entitled to compensation under EU passenger rights regulations, despite Brexit, as these protections were incorporated into UK law.
