UPDATE – A Virgin Atlantic flight en route to London was forced to return to Antigua late last night due to the unexpected closure of Heathrow Airport. The aircraft, carrying 246 passengers and crew, safely landed at V.C. Bird International Airport around 4 a.m.

The closure followed a fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow, which continues to burn, leaving Terminals 2 and 4 without power. The incident has affected over 5,000 homes in the area, and operations at the airport have been suspended through Friday. More than 1,350 flights have been impacted, and Heathrow officials confirmed that all flights to and from the airport will remain grounded until at least 5:30 p.m. EST today.

Colin James, CEO of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, confirmed the disruption, noting that while many passengers were accommodated, about 40 remain without lodging. He stated that Virgin Atlantic hopes to depart again later this evening, around 9 or 10 p.m., contingent on the situation improving at Heathrow.

In the meantime, the United Taxi Corporation (UTC) has been working to ensure passengers are comfortably housed in local resorts and hotels until they can depart. Additionally, Montserrat’s Access Division is offering ferry services between Montserrat and Antigua to assist with transport.

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have both advised customers not to travel to Heathrow today due to ongoing disruptions.