Heathrow Airport Shuts Down, 220,000 Passengers Stranded Amid Net Zero Criticism

Heathrow Airport faced a complete shutdown for over 24 hours after an electrical fire destroyed its main power substation, leaving at least 220,000 passengers stranded. The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, with Reform MP Richard Tice attributing the failure to the airport's shift from diesel backup generators to a biomass system aimed at achieving Net Zero compliance. Tice claimed that this 'Net Zero compliant' backup system failed during its first real test, raising concerns about the airport's infrastructure resilience. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also criticized Heathrow, questioning the reliance on a single power source and calling for better cost-sharing for passenger care during disruptions. Despite the backlash, Heathrow maintains that it does have backup systems, although activating them can take time. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the implications of environmental policies on critical infrastructure.