Scotland fans celebrating their team’s 1-0 victory over Greece have found themselves stuck in Athens after a fire near London’s Heathrow Airport forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights. With no direct routes home, many supporters are scrambling for alternatives—some through Dublin, others via Milan or Istanbul. Despite the travel chaos, the mood remains upbeat, with some fans deciding to extend their stay for an impromptu celebration.
Flights Canceled, Plans Thrown into Disarray
A fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow caused a total power outage, grounding flights and leading to significant delays.
- British Airways services from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness to Heathrow have been severely impacted.
- More than 1,300 flights have been affected, leaving passengers searching for alternative travel routes.
- The backlog of stranded travelers is expected to take several days to clear.
For Gavin Keith and Edith Stewart from Aberdeen, the disruption came as an unpleasant surprise. The pair, part of a group booked to fly back via Heathrow, only learned about the cancellations when they woke up in Athens. While they’ve been rebooked on a flight to Heathrow, they’re skeptical about whether it will actually depart. “If we can’t get out of here tonight, we’ll stay for a party,” said Edith.
The Search for Alternative Routes
With Heathrow at a standstill, stranded Scotland fans are finding creative ways to get back home. BBC journalist Thomas Mackintosh shared stories of supporters taking convoluted routes, including stops in Dublin, Rome, Milan, and even Istanbul.
Graeme Shinny from Aberdeen managed to book a flight from Athens to Dublin for €500 (£418), but it’s not a straightforward journey. He’ll arrive in Ireland at midnight, spend the night in the airport, and then catch an early flight to Scotland. His goal? To make it back in time for the second leg against Greece on Sunday and his son’s birthday on Monday.
“I’ve made the most of my extra day in Athens,” he said. “Done a bit of sightseeing, bumped into loads of others in the same boat. Some aren’t in a rush, but I had to get back.”
Heathrow’s Worst Shutdown in Over a Decade
The fire that triggered the shutdown broke out at the North Hyde electrical substation in west London. The damage caused a massive power outage, bringing operations at Europe’s busiest airport to a halt.
| Incident | Impact |
|---|---|
| Fire at electrical substation | Power outage at Heathrow |
| More than 1,300 flights disrupted | Passengers stranded across Europe |
| Some flights diverted | Glasgow, Manchester, and other UK airports received rerouted planes |
A spokesperson for Heathrow admitted they have no clear timeline for when full operations will resume. Travel writer Simon Calder compared the chaos to the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption, which grounded flights for days.
Fans Stay Positive Despite Travel Chaos
Despite the inconvenience, many Scotland fans remain in high spirits. “Half the Tartan Army was still in bed when the Heathrow news broke,” said Paige Mackintosh, another stranded traveler. “Everyone’s in good spirits. It’s not like a baggage strike, so it feels less frustrating.”
Scotland’s win in Greece, thanks to a goal from Scott McTominay, has softened the blow for many. And with Greece set to visit Hampden Park on Sunday for the return leg, some fans might just turn their extended Athens stay into a mini-holiday.
