THE GOAN | LONDON
The shutdown of London Heathrow airport on account of a major power outage on Friday has not only affected Goan passengers travelling two and from the airport, but it has also affected the airport staff hailing from Goa and Goans residing in the vicinity of the airport.
According to a Heathrow spokesperson, the airport experienced a significant power outage due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation. This has forced authorities to close Heathrow airport till 23.59 GMT on Friday, to maintain the safety of passengers and staff.
"We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” the spokesperson stated.
GOAN AIRPORT STAFF
Goans play a crucial role in all sectors in and around Heathrow Airport and it is estimated that over 1,000 Goans are employed at the airport. Many of them have been asked not to report for work on Friday on account of the shutdown.
According to Goans employed at Heathrow airport, there is no department or sector left at the airport where Goans are not present.
Goans are prominently present in baggage handling operations, cleaning department, lounges/tea shops (at the counter, as stewards, chefs, etc), providing wheelchair assistance, Heathrow security, tug drivers, logistics, check-in desk, passengers ambassadors, trolleys support, electricians and technicians, and Heathrow Airport passenger bus drivers, etc.
“The worst affected are those Goans on contracts who stand to lose their daily earnings if asked not to report to work. The authorities have maintained a skeleton staff to look after the necessary requirements,” informed a Goan employed at Heathrow airport.
Added another Goan employee: “Most of the workforce or resources have been sent back.”
GOAN PASSENGERS
Over 1,300 flights and around 230,000 passengers are estimated to have been affected by the closure of Heathrow airport.
The affected passengers include hundreds of Goans travelling between Goa and Heathrow airport via UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Mumbai, Delhi and other transit airports, Goan sources working at the airport told The Goan.
Many of these Goan passengers have been diverted to other destinations or have had reschedule their flights.
GOAN RESIDENTS
A number of Goans residing in the vicinity of Heathrow airport have also been affected by the major power outage.
According to media reports, over 5,000 homes around the area have also lost power. Residents living within the close proximity were asked to leave their homes late last night for fear of poor air quality and as a preventive measure. Some families shifted to homes of their relatives and friends on Friday.
When contacted, some Goans residing in Hounslow said they too did not have power supply. It is believed that power supply may have been cut while work was underway to repair the damaged electrical substation.
