Following the closure of Heathrow Airport on March 21 due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued guidance for travellers facing disruption.
The fire broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, about two miles from Heathrow, late on March 20. The blaze, involving a transformer containing 25,000 litres of cooling oil, led to a significant power outage at the airport.
Emergency services, including 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters, responded to the incident, establishing a safety cordon around the site.
The power failure forced Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, to suspend operations, leading to the cancellation or diversion of more than 1,300 flights and affecting nearly 300,000 passengers.
While an investigation is ongoing, authorities have said there is no indication of foul play. The closure left thousands of travellers stranded, with airlines and transport services working to manage the backlog.
The insurance sector has urged affected travellers to check their policies and contact insurers to clarify their coverage for trip cancellations or delays. Travel insurance policies vary, but many include provisions for trip disruption, particularly in cases where flights are cancelled due to unforeseen events.
Jonathan Fong, manager of General Insurance Policy at the ABI, advised passengers to seek refunds from their airline or tour operator first. “People will naturally be concerned about their travel plans following the fire near Heathrow airport. If your flight is cancelled, refunds should be sought from the airline or tour operator in the first instance,” he said.
Fong also noted that travellers who booked using a credit card might be able to recover costs through their card provider. For those with travel insurance policies covering trip disruption, cancellation costs should be covered. “Check your policy details and speak to your insurer if you’re not sure what is included,” he added.
The disruption has also renewed discussions about the resilience of backup power systems at critical infrastructure sites.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has instructed the National Energy System Operator to review the incident and assess measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Heathrow has since resumed normal operations, though passengers are being advised to check with airlines for any residual delays. Airlines are offering rebooking options and refunds to those affected.
