A fire at Heathrow Airport has led to closure of the airport and cancellation of several flights to and from Spain, including two departing from Tenerife South airport.
AENA have confirmed that 20 flights had been cancelled by 9:30am this morning (Friday), affecting operations at Tenerife, Madrid, and Barcelona airports.
Specifically, the cancellations include ten flights at Madrid-Barajas (five departures and five arrivals), ten at Barcelona-El Prat (six departures and four arrivals), and two at Tenerife South. The situation arises from the temporary closure of Heathrow due to a fire at the airport’s facilities.
Counter-Terrorism Command Leads Investigation into Heathrow Substation Fire
An investigation into the fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport is now being led by London’s Counter Terrorism Command.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are working closely with the London Fire Brigade to determine the cause of the blaze, which remains under investigation. While there is currently no evidence to suggest foul play, officers are said to be keeping an open mind.
A police spokesperson stated: “We are working with the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire which remains under investigation. While there is currently no indication of foul play, we retain an open mind at this time.”
The Counter Terrorism Command has taken the lead in the investigation due to the fire’s location and the significant impact on national infrastructure. The Met explained that the command’s specialist resources and capabilities make it well-placed to carry out a thorough inquiry and ensure any disruption is minimised.
The full extent of the disruption caused by the fire, as well as any possible wider implications, is still being assessed as investigations continue.
In addition to the cancellations, five long-haul flights originally bound for Heathrow were redirected to Madrid. These flights originated from South Africa, Rio de Janeiro, Bermuda, Miami, and São Paulo.
AENA stated that a total of 54 flights scheduled to depart from five Spanish airports to Heathrow on Friday are affected by the closure.
Passengers have been advised to check with their respective airlines for updated information regarding possible rescheduling or rerouting of their flights, as no further details have been confirmed at this time.
