The most severe single flight disruption to hit UK aviation in 2025 was triggered by the temporary closure of London Heathrow Airport, new data has revealed. The travel chaos unfolded on 21 March 2025 after an unexpected power outage forced the major hub to shut down.
The Day the Hub Went Dark
The crisis began when Heathrow's main electrical substation, located in the west London suburb of Hayes, exploded and caught fire. This catastrophic failure, less than two miles from the airport, led to an immediate and complete shutdown. On that day alone, approximately 220,000 people who were due to travel through Heathrow saw their plans thrown into disarray.
According to figures from air passenger rights organisation AirHelp, the scale of the disruption was almost total. A staggering 99 per cent of travellers passing through the airport were affected, with 98 per cent of all flights being completely cancelled. In total, more than 1,000 flights were delayed, cancelled, or diverted to other airports.
A Chaotic Year for Air Travel and Your Rights to Compensation
The Heathrow incident was the standout disaster in what proved to be a chaotic year for UK air travel overall. AirHelp's report found that 36 million passengers across the country faced delays or cancellations in 2025, affecting 940,000 flights. This means 26 per cent of all UK air travellers encountered problems during their journeys.
For those caught up in the Heathrow closure, understanding passenger rights is crucial. Consumer champion Which? outlines that travellers on delayed flights may be entitled to significant assistance and compensation:
- For delays of two hours or more, airlines must provide assistance including meals, refreshments, and communication facilities.
- For severe delays exceeding five hours, passengers can choose between rerouting on a different flight or a full refund.
- Compensation of up to £520 per passenger may be payable if the delay was not caused by "extraordinary circumstances" like extreme weather or strikes unrelated to the airline.
The compensation amount depends on the flight distance and length of delay:
- Short-haul (under 932 miles): £110 for delays over 1 hour, £220 for delays over 2 hours.
- Medium-haul (932-2,175 miles): £175 for delays over 1 hour, £350 for delays over 3 hours.
- Long-haul (over 2,175 miles): £260 for delays over 1 hour, £520 for delays over 4 hours.
Passengers have up to six years to submit a claim for a flight departing from or arriving in the UK.
Widespread Disruption and Industry Response
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, commented on the findings: "2025 was a challenging year for UK air travel, with millions of passengers experiencing delays or cancellations. The Heathrow closure in March was an extreme example, but our research shows disruption was widespread."
He added, "Many passengers affected may not realise they are entitled to compensation and understanding your rights is more important than ever."
Elsewhere in the 2025 data, Manchester Airport was identified as the worst major UK airport for delays in the first half of the year, with just 71.5 per cent of flights departing on time. This fell below the national average where 77 per cent of flights from all UK airports were punctual.
The Daily Mail approached Heathrow Airport for comment on the AirHelp report.
