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What caused the power outage at Heathrow Airport?
The power outage at Heathrow Airport was triggered by a fire at the North Hyde substation, which damaged all three transformers. Despite having two other substations available, the operational complexity of the airport required a complete system reboot, leading to the airport's closure.
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How do power outages affect flight schedules and passenger safety?
Power outages can severely disrupt flight schedules, leading to delays and cancellations. In this case, over 1,300 flights were affected, causing significant inconvenience for passengers. Safety protocols are also impacted, as airport operations rely heavily on electrical systems for navigation, communication, and security.
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What measures are airports taking to prevent future outages?
Airports are increasingly investing in infrastructure upgrades and backup systems to prevent future outages. This includes enhancing electrical systems, conducting regular maintenance, and implementing emergency response plans to ensure quick recovery from such incidents.
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What are the implications of the Heathrow outage for airport infrastructure?
The Heathrow outage raises concerns about the reliability of airport infrastructure. Investigations are underway to assess the incident's causes and implications, which may lead to changes in operational protocols and infrastructure investments to enhance resilience against similar incidents.
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How did airport leadership respond to the crisis?
The response from airport leadership has been scrutinized, particularly following transport secretary Heidi Alexander's criticism of CEO John Woldbye for leaving during the crisis. This has sparked discussions about accountability and the effectiveness of crisis management at major airports.