Heathrow 'had plenty of power to remain open', as calls grow for boss to quit

HEATHROW had enough power to avoid shutting down on Friday, the chief executive of the National Grid insisted last night.

- By Stephen Beech

In his first comments since the blaze prompted the airport’s closure, John Pettigrew said two working substations could have kept it open.

Mr Pettigrew told the FT: “There was no lack of capacity from the substations. Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow. Two substations were always available for the distribution network companies and Heathrow to take power.”

He said it was for Heathrow to explain why the airport closed.