Attempts to tell Heathrow airport's sleeping chief executive that the airport had been closed because of a power outage failed because his bedside phone was on silent, an inquiry has found. Thomas Woldbye was in bed as senior Heathrow staff decided to suspend operations because of afire at a nearby electrical substation. No flights operated at the west London airport until about 18:00 GMT on 21 March because of the blaze which started late the previous night. The closure, which affected 270,000 journeys, was caused by "an unprecedented set of circumstances", Heathrow chairman Lord Deighton said, adding the airport's infrastructure will be made "more fit for the future". Heathrow commissioned the inquiry into what happened, led by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of the airport's board. The Kelly Review found that Mr Woldbye "was not involved" in the decision taken by the airport's chief operating officer Javier Echave at 01:15 on 21 March to suspend operations until 23:59. Alerts known as F24 alarms were sent to Mr Woldbye's mobile at 00:21 and 01:52 to activate emergency procedures, and Mr Echave tried to call him several times. The report stated: "Mr Woldbye first became aware of the incident at approximately 06:45 on 21 March, and received a debrief from Mr Echave." Mr Woldbye expressed "his deep regret at not being contactable during the night of the incident", the review said. The review recommended that Heathrow considers having a "second means of contact" to notify key individuals about critical incidents. The review concluded that the airport had responded "efficiently and smoothly". The report found that the decision "to stop operations immediately was correctly made and essential to protect the safety and security of people" and decision-makers acted appropriately. "The evidence confirms that Heathrow made the right decisions in exceptionally difficult circumstances. Whilst the disruption was significant, alternative choices on the day would not have materially changed the outcome," Ms Kelly said. Looking at Heathrow's preparedness, the report's authors found the contingency plans in place "overall worked well". The review also examined whether the airport should have anticipated what impact a loss of power from the substation would have. It found that Heathrow had "assessed its high voltage electricity supply as resilient due to it having three separate intakes from the National Grid, all with multiple connections to the airport and multiple transformers at the National Grid/SSEN substations providing redundancy in the event of failure". The review states the airport had deemed what occurred in March as a "low likelihood event". Lord Deighton said the Kelly Review was "thorough with clear recommendations which the management team will be taking forward". March's shutdown cost airlines millions of pounds and stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers. Aninterim report by the National Energy System Operator (Neso), published earlier this month, said the cause of the North Hyde substation fire remained unknown. Heathrow's management has been criticised for the decision to close the airport and the long shutdown that followed as Neso said power had been restored seven hours before any flights resumed. Neso's full report is expected to be published by the end of June. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London onSoundsand follow BBC London onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas tohello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Heathrow chief asleep as airport closed, inquiry finds
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Inquiry Reveals Heathrow CEO Unreachable During Airport Shutdown"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
An inquiry into the operational shutdown at Heathrow Airport on March 21 has revealed that the airport's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, was unreachable during a critical incident due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The inquiry, led by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, found that attempts to contact Woldbye failed as his bedside phone was on silent. As a result, senior staff, led by the chief operating officer Javier Echave, made the decision to suspend operations at 01:15 GMT, which affected 270,000 journeys. The closure lasted until approximately 18:00 GMT on the same day, marking a significant disruption for travelers. Lord Deighton, chairman of Heathrow, described the circumstances leading to the closure as unprecedented, and emphasized the need for the airport's infrastructure to be made more resilient for future challenges. Woldbye expressed deep regret for not being contactable during the incident, and the inquiry has recommended establishing a secondary contact method for key personnel in emergencies.
Despite the severe disruption, the Kelly Review concluded that Heathrow's response was both efficient and appropriate under the circumstances. The decision to halt operations was deemed necessary to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff. The review highlighted that alternative decisions would not have materially altered the outcome, and Heathrow's contingency plans were generally effective. However, the review also scrutinized whether the airport could have anticipated the potential impact of a power loss, given its assessment of the electricity supply's resilience. The report noted that the airport had multiple connections to the National Grid, which it believed would provide redundancy in the event of a failure. As the inquiry continues, the National Energy System Operator is still investigating the cause of the substation fire, with a comprehensive report expected by the end of June. The incident has not only led to significant financial losses for airlines but has also raised questions about the management's decision-making processes during emergencies.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent inquiry into the operational failure at Heathrow Airport highlights significant leadership issues during a critical incident. The report reveals that the chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, was unreachable during a power outage that led to the suspension of all flights, affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers. This raises questions about crisis management and communication protocols in high-stakes environments.
Crisis Management and Leadership Accountability
The inquiry indicates that Woldbye's lack of responsiveness during the emergency was a crucial factor in the airport's operational failure. Despite alerts sent to him, he was not informed until well after the crisis began. This situation may create a perception of negligence in leadership roles, particularly in environments where timely decision-making is crucial for safety and efficiency.
Public Perception and Trust
By revealing the CEO's inaccessibility, the article aims to shape public perception regarding the reliability of leadership at major infrastructure hubs. Such incidents can erode trust among travelers and stakeholders, reinforcing the need for accountability and robust emergency protocols. The report's findings might also prompt discussions about the necessity of having contingency plans to ensure key personnel can be reached during crises.
Potential Concealment of Broader Issues
While the report concludes that the airport's response was appropriate given the circumstances, there might be underlying issues regarding the airport's infrastructure and emergency preparedness that are not fully addressed. The focus on Woldbye's unavailability could serve to deflect attention from systemic problems within the airport's operational framework.
Comparison with Similar Incidents
When compared to other reports of leadership failures in crisis situations, this incident aligns with a pattern where high-ranking officials are criticized for inadequate response times. This could suggest a broader trend in crisis management failures across various sectors, prompting a reevaluation of leadership standards and emergency response protocols.
Impact on Stakeholders and the Economy
The disruption caused by the airport's closure had a significant impact on travelers and airlines, which may lead to economic repercussions for both Heathrow and the surrounding businesses that rely on airport traffic. The incident could prompt regulatory scrutiny and trigger changes in operational policies, influencing the overall aviation industry.
Community Support and Response
The narrative presented may resonate more with communities that prioritize accountability and transparency in corporate governance. By addressing the leadership failures at a major airport, the article appeals to those who advocate for better management practices and public safety.
Market and Investment Implications
In light of this incident, investors in airlines and related industries may show heightened sensitivity to operational reliability at major hubs like Heathrow. Stocks of airlines operating from Heathrow could be affected by the incident, leading to fluctuations based on perceived reliability and safety concerns.
Global Power Dynamics
While this specific incident may not have a direct impact on global power dynamics, it underscores the importance of efficient infrastructure in maintaining national security and economic stability, especially in a post-pandemic world where travel is crucial for recovery.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Reporting
The article's structure and clarity suggest that AI tools may have been utilized in its drafting process, potentially enhancing readability and coherence. While AI could assist in organizing information, it remains essential for human oversight to ensure accuracy and context in reporting.
In conclusion, the reliability of this news report is bolstered by the detailed inquiry findings and the emphasis on accountability, although it may inadvertently mask deeper systemic issues that need to be addressed for future improvements.