Heathrow is burning and the Canary Islands are trembling at the thought that the chaos could continue.

 

"The flapping of a butterfly's wings can be felt halfway around the world," goes a Chinese proverb used by Edward Lorenz for his theory of the butterfly effect. In this case, it can be adapted to mean "a fire in London can bring headaches to the Canary Islands."

 

Heathrow Airport, the United Kingdom's major gateway to and from the airport, collapsed this Friday following a fire in an electrical substation. The incident has led to massive cancellations, diverted flights, and thousands of passengers stranded on the ground with no clear answer as to when they will be able to depart. Although authorities have assured that they are working to restore normality "as soon as possible," the consequences could last longer than expected.

 

In the Canary Islands, the news hasn't gone unnoticed. With the British market being the most important for tourism in the archipelago, any problem at Heathrow translates into uncertainty for airlines, hotels, and companies in the sector. It is not yet known how many flights to the islands have been affected, although AENA reports more than fifty connections with Spain affected. 

 

 

 

 

 

Although many flights to the Canary Islands depart from Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton (airports frequently served by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2), it's clear that a chaotic situation at the UK's largest airport isn't exactly the best news for a destination that relies on air connectivity like the air it breathes.

 

British passengers, meanwhile, remain waiting, their bags packed and with no option but to arm themselves with patience. And in the Canary Islands, the question remains as to whether this setback will remain a temporary scare or end up leaving unexpected gaps in hotels.