NEWSLETTER
The fourth largest airport in the world for pedestrian traffic and the largest travel center in Europe, Heathrow London (LHR) airport is currently at the close of 24 hours after a great fire broke out in the nearby electric substation of North Hyde and cut the power to the airport.
A large -scale closure has already affected tens of thousands of travelers and, at the end of March 21, will interrupt at least 1,300 flights that arrive in London around the world.
Stranded travelers: “Everyone will need a new flight”
As the police and anti -terrorist agents investigate the cause of the fire, passengers were stranded by the closure have been crowding in nearby train stations, trying to secure accommodation in limited airport hotels at inflated prices and, in some cases, received by bus to Gatwick Airport (LGW) for alternative flights.
“I am sure that everyone will need a new flight somewhere, somehow, so I'm just trying to get ahead of that the best I can,” said Tyler Prieb, a Nashville resident who ended up trapped in London, described Reuters.
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United Airlines (Only) He announced that passengers scheduled to fly outside Heathrow would be redirected to any seat available on flights from Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris or Edimburg in the next few days, while the carrier would also broadcast travel exemptions.
“You can reprogram your trip and give up the change rates and rates differences, but your new flight must be a United flight that leaves between March 20, 2025 and March 28, 2025,” announced the airline based in Chicago.
American Airlines (AAL) It requires travelers to reserve their flights before March 22, something that could extend if the airport is not reopened or if the bottleneck makes it impossible, while Delta (Dal) For now, he has simply issued a statement saying that “due to the general blackout, traveling to, from OA through LHR can be affected.”
Are you looking for a hotel? Prepare for more difficulties (and high prices)
Meanwhile, travelers who cannot find alternative flights reported a wave of others trying to secure rooms in the hotels of nearby airports.
The independent reported that the cheapest room of the Best Western London Heathrow Ariel Hotel had a price of £ 650 (approximately $ 838 USD) for the night of March 21, while the Crowne square at Terminal four of Heathrow is £ 485 ($ 627 USD) per night despite costing less than £ 98 per night in a typical day.
“Actually, they have doubled, if not, in some cases, they tripled the prices of the rooms based on what is happening, which is absolutely absurd,” a traveler told the local exit. “They are benefiting from people's misfortunes in this. I don't know how that is allowed.”
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Amid the avalanche of travelers seeking to fly outside the near European cities, Eurostar announced that it will execute two additional trains between London and Paris on the night of March 21.
“We understand the challenges faced by those affected by the incident in Heathrow, and we are committed to helping where we can provide additional travel options,” said the railroad that connects several Western European countries with the United Kingdom in a statement on the new train schedule.
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