gotchanewsdaily.com 
Canceled flights are a blow to airlines, which must help stranded passengers with meals, transfers and accommodations — even if the fire is an extraordinary circumstance that exempts them from compensating travelers.
But, according to Olivier Jankovec, director general of the airport lobby ACI Europe, “the operational impact on other European airports resulting from the temporary closure of Heathrow tends to be limited, with the resulting surplus of traffic volumes being thus far smoothly absorbed.”
What about trade?
The disruption — especially if it goes on for days — could also have “far-reaching impacts” for international trade, according to Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, pointing out that Heathrow is the “U.K.’s largest freight hub by value.”
“Essential goods due to be delivered and leave will now face days of disruption, and because it’s air freight a lot of the goods are time sensitive. Even once flights recommence planes, crew and products will all be in the wrong place,” he added.
Ben Farrell, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply said the disruption would take “days, if not weeks to unpick and leave goods, crew and planes out of sync.”
“Supply chains work on a just-in-time basis and the whole operation is meticulously planned to ensure goods enter and exit the country in a timely fashion,” he added.
