Uncovering of Silent Phone Use by Heathrow’s Chief During Fire's Eruption: Inquiry Details
Power Outage at Heathrow Airport: Key Figures and Findings
A power outage at London's Heathrow Airport on March 21, 2023, caused by a fire at a substation, led to the airport's closure for approximately 16 hours, resulting in the cancellation of around 1,300 flights and travel chaos for nearly 300,000 passengers.
The power outage, which affected the airport's operationally critical systems, was precipitated by a fire at one of the transformers in the North Hyde substation (Substation A). As a result, the airport lost power from one of its three independent supply points. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, with no evidence of suspicious or terrorist activities found.
Heathrow's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, was unaware of the power outage and the subsequent airport closure. He was asleep when the airport's chief operating officer, Javier Echave, decided to suspend operations at 1:15 am. An inquiry led by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, an independent member of Heathrow's board, found that Woldbye was not involved in the decision due to his phone being on silent mode and the lack of attempts to reach him being ignored until 6:45 am.
Although Woldbye expressed his regret for not being contactable, the inquiry recommended that Heathrow should consider implementing a second means of contact for key individuals during critical incidents. The report highlighted that the decision to suspend operations was correct as it was essential to protect the airport's safety and security, as well as the integrity of the UK border.
The Heathrow Airline Operators' Committee (AOC) criticized the airport's handling of the closure, expressing concerns about communication and operational management. Nigel Wicking, the AOC's chief executive, had warned Heathrow bosses that the power supply was vulnerable less than a week before the outage.
The power was eventually restored, and normal operations resumed the following day. The National Energy System Operator is expected to release a full report by the end of June 2023, focusing on maintenance history, incident management coordination, and design standards for substation sites. This report aims to advise on how to strengthen infrastructure and operational preparedness for future incidents.
Technology played a significant role in the chaos caused by the war of systems during the power outage at Heathrow Airport. The fire at Substation A, while not believed to be caused by any suspicious or terrorist activities, exposed the vulnerabilities in the airport's technology infrastructure. Furthermore, the lack of a second means of contact for key individuals during critical incidents, as recommended by the inquiry, raises questions about the use and reliance on technology in managing such incidents in the future.
