Ryanair has announced the launch of eight emergency “rescue flights” between the UK and Ireland to assist passengers caught up in the ongoing Heathrow Airport closure, following a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies the airport with power.
The additional flights, now available to book on Ryanair’s website, come as at least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow are expected to be cancelled or disrupted today (Friday, March 21), according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
Extra Capacity to Support Stranded Travellers
In a statement released this morning, Ryanair said:
“Ryanair will operate four extra flights between Dublin and London Stansted on Friday afternoon, as well as four extra flights on Saturday morning.
These flights can be booked on ryanair.com from 9.30am this morning.”
The move aims to relieve pressure on one of Europe’s busiest international air routes — the Heathrow-Dublin corridor, which had 34 flights scheduled for today alone.
70 Flights Between UK and Ireland Affected
In total, around 70 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland are expected to be cancelled today, impacting thousands of passengers. The Heathrow-Dublin route is one of the busiest in Europe and a key connection for business and leisure travellers alike.
EasyJet Also Steps In
Although EasyJet does not operate at Heathrow, the airline has announced it will provide larger aircraft on key UK and European routes throughout Friday and the weekend to accommodate displaced passengers. This includes upgrading several services from the smaller A319 (156 seats) to the larger A320 (186 seats) on routes to destinations including Milan, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Paris, Munich, and Madrid.
Heathrow Urges Passengers to Stay Away
Heathrow Airport remains closed for the entire day, and officials have urged passengers not to travel under any circumstances until further notice. In a statement, airport authorities warned of “significant disruption” likely to continue for several days.
The fire at the North Hyde substation in Hayes, which broke out late Thursday night, has led to a major power outage, grounding hundreds of flights and causing chaos for both domestic and international travellers.
Passenger Impact and Industry Costs Mounting
With Heathrow handling nearly 84 million passengers in 2024, the disruption is already being described as one of the most impactful airport shutdowns in recent memory. Industry analysts estimate the financial cost to airlines will run into millions of pounds, with costs mounting from flight cancellations, passenger refunds, rebooking, and hotel accommodations.
How to Claim Compensation
Passengers affected by cancellations and delays are being advised to contact their airline for rebooking options and check eligibility for compensation under EU and UK air passenger rights legislation.
For further information, Heathrow and airlines have urged passengers to monitor their websites and social media for the latest travel updates.
