Heathrow Airport is closed all day Friday due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power. The UK’s busiest airport has warned of significant disruption over the coming days, with at least 1,300 flights in and out cancelled.
Do not attempt to travel to the airport, but keep in touch with your airline who will be able to advise you about refunds or booking alternative flights.
If your flight is covered by UK law, your airline must let you choose between either getting a refund or being booked on to an alternative flight. You can get your money back for any part of the ticket you have not used.
If you accept a refund, your airline has no further duty of care to you. If you need to make any other arrangements, you will need to do so yourself.
If you still wish to travel, your airline is obliged to get you on a new flight as soon as possible, including with rival carriers from alternative airports.
Bear in mind that with so many flights cancelled, other airports will be stretched as well. If there are other suitable modes of transport, such as the train for domestic journeys, then you have a right to be booked on to that alternative transport instead.
If your flight was coming into Heathrow on a non-UK airline, then you should check the terms and conditions of your booking.
If you are stuck abroad or at the airport, your airline is obliged to offer you further assistance, including free accommodation, transport to and from the accommodation, a reasonable amount of food and drink, and a way for you to communicate.
If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost later.
The Civil Aviation Authority advises people to keep receipts and not spend more than necessary.
In this instance you will not be entitled to extra compensation from your airline as the situation will be deemed an “extraordinary circumstance” beyond the airline’s control.
If your travel insurance policy includes trip disruption, you should be covered if you have to cancel your travel plans.
Any bookings made through a credit card may also have recoverable costs.
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