Scotland fans flying back home after a triumphant 1-0 victory over Greece were left in a precarious situation, stuck in Athens due to a major fire at London's Heathrow Airport. The fire, which erupted in an electrical substation, caused widespread disruption, grounding over 1,300 flights and delaying the return of numerous supporters. Many fans are now scrambling to find alternate routes back to Scotland, with some expressing their willingness to extend their stay in Greece to celebrate their team’s success.
The disruption began on March 21, 2025, when the fire at the North Hyde electrical substation in west London ignited a power outage at Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world. Flights from various origins, including those from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, have been severely affected. Unfortunately, British Airways was one of the carriers hit hard by the incident, leaving many passengers in limbo.
Gavin Keith and Edith Stewart from Aberdeen, part of a group booking for a British Airways flight back home, woke up on Friday to learn about the disruption. Although they were rescheduled onto a 5 PM flight to Heathrow, both expressed doubt that the flight would actually take off. “If we can't get out of here tonight, we'll stay for a party,” Edith remarked, highlighting the good spirits among stranded supporters despite the travel nightmare.
BBC journalist Thomas Mackintosh, who attended the game, reported on the various creative routes fans were taking to get home, including detours through cities like Dublin, Milan, Rome, and Istanbul. The unexpected adjustments also came with an unexpected cost, with fans like Graeme Shinny from Aberdeen paying €500 (£418) for last-minute flights to Dublin, arriving just past midnight. This would allow him a brief layover before attempting to reach Aberdeen in time for his son's birthday and the upcoming match against Greece on March 22.
The score came as a relief after Scott McTominay scored the only goal during the first leg of the double-header against Greece. Despite the crisis unfolding at the airport, spirits remained relatively high among fans, as seen by Paige Mackintosh, also at Athens Airport, who noted that many travelers were still in bed when the news broke about Heathrow.
More than just the Scotland fans, Heathrow's shutdown affected approximately 2,800 passengers overall, leading travelers to experience widespread inconvenience. Notably, about 120 flights headed to Heathrow were diverted to various locations, including a flight from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) that landed safely in Glasgow.
A spokesperson for Heathrow stated that they could not yet confirm when the power supply would be restored. Meanwhile, Edinburgh Airport reported that they had about 10 outbound and 12 inbound services affected due to the fire, leaving travelers confused and frustrated. The situation was so dire that Glasgow Airport implemented its “plan 39” protocol to manage incoming slots efficiently.
As the shutdown dragged on, authorities acknowledged its significance, likening it to the scale of the significant travel restrictions seen during the Icelandic volcanic eruptions in 2010. Travel expert Simon Calder explained on Good Morning Scotland that the sheer number of disrupted flights marked an unprecedented interruption for UK air travel.
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) also shared that multiple flights to and from Heathrow out of Inverness and Dundee were canceled. They are engaging closely with the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) to manage flight diversions throughout the day as the airport continued to struggle with the fallout of the fire.
For those caught in the middle of this chaos, the options going forward are slightly complicated. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, explained that passengers might not receive compensation for cancellations. While airlines are obliged to reroute passengers or issue refunds, those opting for a refund may find themselves responsible for arranging their own travel logistics moving forward.
Amid this challenging journey, one can hardly ignore the resilience shown by the fans. Graeme Shinny, for instance, utilized his extra time in Athens for some impromptu sightseeing. “I’ve bumped into lots of people in the same boat as me,” he shared during an interview on BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime, adding more evidence that the Tartan Army remains a community even in adversity.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander mentioned that lessons would be gleaned from this incident, ensuring that such a widespread travel disruption would be met with better-preparedness in future situations. The investigation into the fire continues as London Fire Brigade delves into the electrical distribution equipment involved in this major malfunction.
As air traffic begins to resume cautiously, airport authorities are working to ensure that passengers get to their destinations as soon as possible. Heathrow has committed to regaining regular service by March 22, 2025, and travelers hopeful for flights are encouraged to check updates directly with their airlines.
The chaos witnessed is a testament to the unpredictability of travel, but also to the indomitable spirit of travelers who refuse to let a little setback crush their spirits. These Scotland fans, instead of feeling defeated, embody resilience, waiting eagerly for their chance to return home and celebrate a team victory while navigating the turbulent skies.
