Heathrow Airport experienced significant delays and chaos this morning following a car fire in one of its tunnels. The incident, which occurred at approximately 3 am on Monday, March 10, led to the closure of the M4 southbound between junctions 4 and 4a. This closure resulted in major disruptions for travellers both on the road and in the air, as the affected tunnel serves Terminals 1, 2, and 3 at the airport. Despite the car being completely destroyed in the blaze, there were no reported injuries. Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene to extinguish the fire and secure the area.
Passengers were urged to anticipate delays by Heathrow Airport officials, who issued a warning for those flying out this morning. The closure of the tunnel impacted road access to Terminals 2 and 3, prompting passengers to consider using public transport and allocating extra time for their journey to the airport. While flights continued to face delays, the airport advised travellers to stay updated by monitoring Heathrow.com and the airport’s social media channels for the latest information. The spokesperson for Heathrow Airport apologised for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.
Reports of extensive traffic congestion around Europe’s busiest airport surfaced, with passengers on planes also experiencing delays prior to takeoff. Initially, there were speculations that the vehicle involved was electric, but it was later clarified that it was diesel-powered. The London Fire Brigade attended the scene and successfully extinguished the flames. Following their efforts, the tunnel was reopened, allowing traffic to flow once again near the airport.
Heathrow Airport had recently announced a surge in pre-tax profits for the year 2024, reaching £917 million compared to £701 million the previous year. Despite this profitability increase, the airport saw a slight decline in revenue by 3.5% to £3.56 billion and an 8.7% decrease in underlying earnings, falling to £2.04 billion. The dip in earnings was mainly attributed to reduced airline charges regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority. Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed support for the airport’s expansion plans, with detailed proposals expected to be unveiled in the upcoming summer.
Thomas Woldbye, the Chief Executive at Heathrow, highlighted the airport’s pivotal role as the UK’s gateway to growth in 2024. He underscored the record number of passengers welcomed, the growth in cargo volumes, and substantial investments made to enhance facilities and resilience. Woldbye emphasised the value created for customers at the forefront of Britain’s international connections. The positive outlook for the airport’s future was reinforced by the commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
In light of the incident, travellers were urged to remain patient and flexible, especially those with flights scheduled from Heathrow Airport. The efficient response by emergency services and airport officials ensured that the situation was swiftly managed, minimising disruptions as much as possible. As the tunnel reopened and operations gradually resumed, normalcy was gradually restored in and around Heathrow Airport. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and swift action in handling unexpected events to maintain the smooth operation of critical infrastructure like airports.