London’s Heathrow airport shut on Friday due to nearby fire

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: London’s Heathrow Airport, the busiest in Europe, has shut down for the entire day following a fire at a nearby electrical substation that caused a major power outage

🔭 The context: The fire broke out at a substation in Hayes, about 5 km from the airport, prompting the evacuation of 150 people and the establishment of a 200-metre safety cordon
• Heathrow has urged passengers to avoid travelling to the airport and to check with airlines for updates

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Disruptions at major transport hubs underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to external shocks, a growing concern as climate resilience and energy reliability become integral to sustainable urban planning

⏭️ What's next: The London Fire Brigade expects a prolonged response, with further disruption anticipated as crews remain on-site
• Heathrow’s closure may prompt renewed scrutiny of the airport’s resilience and expansion plans.

💬 One quote: “This is a highly visible and significant incident,” — Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne, London Fire Brigade

📈 One stat: 70 firefighters are currently working to extinguish the blaze

See here detailed sustainability performance of airports and companies like Munich International Airport and easyJet

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