Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics, is actively monitoring the ongoing situation at London Heathrow Airport following its closure on Friday, March 21, due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. More than 1300 flights and approx. 200,000 passengers have been impacted, with major airlines predicting continued global disruptions over the coming days.
As of the latest update, power has been restored, and Heathrow Airport plans to resume limited flight operations today, prioritizing repatriation and aircraft repositioning flights. Full operational capability, including cargo flights, is anticipated by Saturday, March 22, following comprehensive safety tests.
Supply Chain Impact & Our Response
Currently, only limited positioning flights are approved for departure today. Full-service recovery is projected to take 3-4 days, extending until approximately Tuesday-Wednesday, March 26-27. In anticipation of these widespread disruptions, Marken has activated robust contingency plans, advanced risk management strategies, and business continuity measures.
Our highest priority remains service reliability. While every effort is being made to maintain uninterrupted service, due to the severity of the situation, shipment delays or displacements may occur. Our teams are in constant communication with local authorities and business partners to monitor conditions in real-time. We are also actively engaging with clients to provide alternative shipping arrangements, import and export solutions as needed, leveraging the extensive UPS network to sustain service continuity.
Alternative Shipping Options
UPS operations into and out of the UK remain unaffected, with regular collections and deliveries proceeding as normal. Clients who have previously utilized UPS for UK imports or exports may consider this alternative, taking into account temperature control and shipping timelines. If you have not previously confirmed a UPS brokerage Power of Attorney for the UK, please coordinate directly with Marken’s UK import/export team for alternative flight routing.
Your Partner in Crisis Management
Marken is fully committed to protecting your healthcare and high-value, critical shipments through proactive mitigation strategies that ensure supply chain resilience and minimize the impact of disruption.
For immediate support or inquiries about specific shipments, please contact your local Marken branch or business professional. If you’d like more information about our capabilities, email us at info@marken.com.
We will continue to provide timely updates as new information become available.
