A grass fire near one of Heathrow Airport’s runways caused significant travel disruption on Thursday, forcing flight diversions and delays at Europe’s busiest airport.
The fire broke out near the airport’s southern runway during the late afternoon, prompting emergency crews to respond quickly while air traffic controllers temporarily shifted operations to a single runway. The precautionary measure affected both arriving and departing flights as safety remained the top priority.
According to airport officials, approximately 18 inbound flights were diverted to other airports while numerous departures experienced delays. Some aircraft already approaching Heathrow were instructed to enter holding patterns or perform go-arounds until runway operations could safely resume.
Firefighters from Heathrow Airport and the London Fire Brigade worked together to extinguish the blaze, which burned an area of grass adjacent to the runway. Authorities confirmed the fire was brought under control within a short period, allowing normal runway operations to gradually resume.
Although both runways are now operational, airport officials warned that delays could continue as airlines work to reposition aircraft and recover from earlier disruptions. Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
The cause of the grass fire has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation is expected once emergency operations are complete.
Quick Facts
Location: Heathrow Airport, London, England
Incident: Grass fire near the southern runway
Impact: Flight diversions and delays
Flights Diverted: Approximately 18 inbound aircraft
Emergency Response: Heathrow Airport Fire Service and London Fire Brigade
Airport Status: Both runways operational; delays continue
Tags
Heathrow Fire Today, Heathrow Airport, Heathrow Delays, London Airport News, Grass Fire, Flight Diversions, Travel News, Breaking News