SINGAPORE: Singapore Airways (SIA) has cancelled a number of flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport, which can be closed all day on Friday (Mar 21) after a big fireplace at an electrical energy substation knocked out power at Britain’s busiest airport.
In response to CNA’s queries, SIA mentioned eight flights had been affected – both cancelled or diverted.
Flight SQ322, which departed Singapore on Thursday, was diverted to Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
SQ306, which departed Singapore on Friday, was diverted to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
SQ308, which additionally departed Singapore on Friday, will return to Changi Airport and is anticipated to land at 4.30pm. “The flight will subsequently be cancelled,” SIA mentioned.
Flight SQ318, which was scheduled to depart Singapore at 12.45pm on Friday, was cancelled.
4 flights from Heathrow to Singapore – SQ305, SQ317, SQ319 and SQ321 – which had been scheduled for Friday, had been cancelled, mentioned SIA.
Heathrow airport authorities mentioned they “anticipate important disruption” over the approaching days, with tons of of flights and 1000’s of passengers affected.
“Passengers mustn’t journey to the airport beneath any circumstances till the airport reopens,” the airport mentioned.
On-line flight monitoring service FlightRadar24 mentioned Heathrow’s closure would have an effect on no less than 1,351 flights to and from the airport.
It mentioned 120 flights to the airport had been within the air when the closure was introduced.
“SIA will present all vital help to the affected passengers, together with offering resort lodging, and reaccommodating them on different flights or land transport,” Singapore’s flag provider mentioned.
It added that different SIA flights between Singapore and London Heathrow could also be affected, and clients are suggested to go to SIA’s website for extra data on the standing of their flights.
“The security of our clients and crew is at all times our high precedence. SIA apologises to all clients for the inconvenience brought on.”