Heathrow Airport Hit by Delays and Cancellations
Passengers at Heathrow Airport are experiencing delays following a car explosion in a tunnel, compounded by ongoing strikes in Germany.
General view of Heathrow Airport.
Car Fire Incident
The incident, which occurred in the early hours, closed the M4 southbound between J4 and J4A for several hours. Although the motorway has since reopened, National Highways is cautioning travelers to anticipate “severe delays” and to allow extra time for their journeys.
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “An earlier vehicle fire affecting road access to Terminals 2 and 3 has now been resolved. All roads have now reopened but there continues to be some congestion around the airport. We apologise for the disruption caused this morning.”
Two fire engines responded to the scene. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson stated, “We were called just before 3am today to reports of a car fire in a tunnel near Heathrow Airport. Firefighters attended and discovered a car fully alight. The fire was safely extinguished by firefighters and no one was reported to be injured. The vehicle involved was diesel-powered. The airport has since confirmed the tunnel has reopened.”
German Strikes Cause Further Disruption
Adding to the challenges, several flights have been canceled due to strikes affecting numerous German airports. These strikes are considerably impacting travelers.
Ongoing Impacts from Strikes
The 24-hour strike in Germany, though officially ending at midnight, is anticipated to cause delays and cancellations into the following day, according to airport operators.
Flights from Heathrow to multiple German destinations, including Munich, Berlin, and Cologne, have been canceled.
Frankfurt Airport has indicated that further disruptions could occur. Munich Airport advised passengers to expect a significantly reduced flight schedule and urged them to check flight statuses before traveling.
Cologne/Bonn Airport has announced the complete suspension of regular passenger services, advising travelers to contact their airlines. Similarly, both Hamburg and Berlin airports have confirmed the cancellation of all regular departures.
Impact on Flights
At least 17 flights from Heathrow have been canceled.
