21 March 2025

Market Update | London Heathrow Airport Closure and Italian Airport Strikes

Heathrow Airport closed all day after nearby fire causes power outage

Heathrow Airport will be closed on the 21st of March, because of a large fire at a nearby electrical substation, which supplies the airport. 

The official statement from the Heathrow authorities proclaims that “the Airport is experiencing a significant power outage because of the fire. To maintain safety of all passengers and team, Heathrow will be closed until 23:59 on March 21st”. 

This closure has led to aircrafts on-route being diverted to other airports across the UK or Europe and many flights have been grounded or turned back. This closure will affect over 1000 flights scheduled today and will impact both our inbound and outbound cargo across the weekend.
 

24-hour strike in Italian Airports

A national strike of 24 hours has been called in Italy by the trade unions on Monday the 24th of March. This strike involves all handlers operating at the national airports of Italy. Please expect delays on both inbound and outbound cargo.

Our Network

Our teams in Europe are doing everything possible to reduce disruptions, but delays may occur due to the backlog of freight movements. We will work closely with all affected customers to manage the impact.

We appreciate your patience and support during this time. If you need any further information or clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Mainfreight team.