Global Aviation in Turmoil: Heathrow Airport's Shocking Shutdown

The closure of Heathrow Airport due to a fire at an electrical substation has caused significant disruption to global aviation, costing tens of millions of dollars. Experts criticize the lack of contingency planning at the airport, which is critical infrastructure for the UK. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in aviation systems.

The sudden closure of Heathrow Airport, following a fire at a nearby electrical substation, has sent shockwaves through the global aviation sector. Analysts predict the ripple effects will be felt for days, underlining a stark failure in contingency planning at the world's fifth-largest airport.

Experts have expressed disbelief at the extent of the disruption, comparable perhaps only to the infamous Icelandic ash cloud incident of 2010. Critical infrastructure should have effective fail-safes, yet Heathrow's back-up systems proved inadequate, prompting potential financial losses of around £20 million daily.

The event not only highlights Heathrow's operational vulnerabilities but also raises questions about security amid increased scrutiny in Europe. With air travel being a cornerstone of logistics and commerce, the incident serves as a wake-up call to reassess infrastructure resilience globally.

(With inputs from agencies.)