Boston Airport: Fire Disruptions And Emergency Preparedness

Boston Logan International Airport has experienced several fire-related incidents that have impacted its operations. In October 2024, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 engine caught fire at the airport, leading to the cancellation of flight DL112 bound for Rome. Additionally, an SUV caught fire near Terminal B, causing a temporary road closure and delays for travellers. In March 2025, a fire at Heathrow Airport in London also disrupted flights to and from Boston Logan International Airport, with some flights forced to return or make emergency fuel stops. These incidents highlight the potential impact of fires on airport operations and the importance of swift emergency response.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 engine fire

On October 22, 2024, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 engine caught fire at Boston Logan International Airport. The incident occurred during pre-departure preparations for Delta flight 112 from Boston to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. The crew reported an engine issue around 7 p.m. local time, and Fire and Rescue teams extinguished the fire on the No. 1 engine. All 152 passengers on board were safe, and the aircraft taxied back to the gate.

This incident was not an isolated event for Delta Air Lines. On January 1, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 flight from Atlanta to Sao Paulo returned to the airport shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue with the left engine, which caused flames to shoot off the jet. The aircraft landed safely, and firetrucks sprayed down the brakes as a precautionary measure due to the heavy landing weight.

In another incident on August 4, 2024, a Delta Air Lines flight from Boston to Rome was struck by lightning mid-air, prompting an emergency landing back in Boston. Additionally, on October 19, 2024, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300ER flight from Dakar to New York encountered technical issues, resulting in an emergency stop in Blaise Diagne International Airport, Senegal, affecting 216 passengers.

These incidents highlight the importance of prompt action and effective emergency response in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. While engine fires and technical issues can be alarming, regular maintenance and adherence to safety protocols are crucial in mitigating risks and ensuring the reliability of aircraft operations.

SUV fire near Terminal B

An SUV caught fire near Terminal B at Boston Logan International Airport on Monday, 28 October 2024, at around 10 a.m. The fire caused police to temporarily shut down the roadway near Terminal B for about an hour.

The fire department was called, and firefighters used hoses and extinguishers to douse the flames. The SUV was a 2019 Kia driven by an unidentified 40-year-old man. Fortunately, no one was injured during the fire. The cause of the fire is currently unclear.

During the fire, Logan Airport issued a passenger advisory, asking travelers to give themselves extra time to get to Terminal B due to the resulting traffic backup. Police reported that they cleared the scene by 11 a.m.

It is worth noting that this small fire was not the cause of the smoky smell and haze over Boston that day. Rather, several wildfires in eastern Massachusetts over the weekend were responsible for the strong fire smell in the area.

Heathrow Airport fire disrupts travel from Boston

A fire at Heathrow Airport in London disrupted travel across the world, including at Boston. The fire broke out on Thursday night, causing a major power outage and forcing the airport to shut down on Friday. Heathrow Airport is one of the world's busiest travel hubs, and the disruption caused by the fire was expected to cause delays for travelers throughout the weekend.

The fire occurred at a nearby electrical substation, knocking out power to the airport and causing widespread flight cancellations. Up to 300,000 travelers were expected to pass through the airport on the day of the fire, and the unexpected outage led to chaos, affecting thousands of flights. Heathrow's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, called the outage and disruption unprecedented and vowed that the airport would be operating at "100 percent" by Saturday.

The closure of Heathrow Airport disrupted travel at other major airports, including LAX in Los Angeles. At least 1,350 flights to and from Heathrow were affected, and the impact was expected to last several days as passengers tried to reschedule their travel. Long lines were still seen at LAX on Friday morning, with some flights canceled, delayed, or diverted.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, with counterterrorism specialists leading the inquiry due to the disruption caused at Britain's busiest airport. Heathrow officials prioritized relocating planes and crews and bringing in flights diverted to other cities. The airport resumed some flight departures and arrivals on Friday evening, and British Airways and United Airlines were among the airlines expected to resume operations.

No injuries reported in SUV fire

On Monday morning, an SUV caught fire near Terminal B at Boston Logan International Airport. The incident caused a temporary road closure as police and fire crews responded to the scene. According to reports, the vehicle involved was a 2019 Kia SUV driven by an unidentified 40-year-old man. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the fire, and the MassPort Fire team was able to extinguish the flames promptly.

The upper roadway near Terminal B was shut down for approximately an hour to ensure the safety of travellers and allow emergency services to manage the situation effectively. Footage from WCVB showed firefighters dousing the SUV in water to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities have not released any further information about the incident.

As a result of the fire, Logan Airport issued a passenger advisory, recommending travellers to allow extra time when travelling to Terminal B. The advisory was necessary due to the inbound traffic backup caused by the fire and the subsequent investigation. Police cleared the scene by 11 a.m., and normal operations resumed at the airport.

While there were no reported injuries in the SUV fire, it is essential to prioritize safety and follow the airport's advisories to ensure efficient travel during such incidents. Travellers are encouraged to stay informed and plan their journeys accordingly when disruptions occur. By following the recommended guidelines, passengers can help maintain a safe and orderly environment at the airport, even during unexpected events like vehicle fires.

Diversion of flights to Gatwick, Paris, and Shannon Airport

On 21 March 2025, a fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport caused a power outage and the airport's closure. As a result, several flights were diverted to Gatwick, Paris, and Shannon Airport.

Gatwick Airport confirmed it had accepted seven diverted flights from Singapore, Johannesburg, Lagos, Cape Town, and Doha, which were originally destined for Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic passengers from Barbados had their flight diverted to Cardiff Airport. Shannon Airport in Co Clare confirmed it had accepted six diverted flights from Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown, Barbados, Boston, Orlando, and Newark.

Flights from Bahrain, Atlanta, and Hong Kong were re-routed to London Heathrow, while Orlando and Dubai flights were sent to Glasgow. A Norse flight from Bridgetown in Barbados, which was due to arrive at 6:28 am, was diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland. The furthest diversion was the Air Transat flight to Toronto, which was supposed to arrive in Manchester at 7:10 am but was diverted to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Some flights that had already crossed the Atlantic were rerouted to European airports. Amsterdam took the most diversions with seven, while Gatwick, Frankfurt, and Shannon accepted six flights each.

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