LATEST: Shannon Airport issues critical update for passengers amid Heathrow closure

Shannon Airport have issued an update to passengers surrounding the current travel situation between Ireland and the UK following the closure of Heathrow Airport on Friday. 

Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, will remain closed on Friday following a fire at a nearby electrical substation which wiped out power and caused the widespread disruption of flight schedules.

Over 150 people were evacuated from nearby buildings due to the fire and thousands of properties were left without power. 

A total of 34 flights were scheduled between Dublin and Heathrow on Friday while a smaller number were scheduled to and and from Cork and Shannon Airport. 

In an update from Shannon Airport on Friday afternoon, they said that they successfully accommodated six diverted flights which were originally scheduled to land at Heathrow. These flights were from Newark, Orlando, Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown Barbados and Boston. 

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The airport said that all flights to and from London Heathrow on Friday have been cancelled and passengers are advised to check with their airline for updates. 

They added that with the exception of these flights, all other flights to and from Shannon are operating under a normal schedule on Friday. 

In regards to the passengers on the diverted flights, the airport said: "All passengers from the six diverted flights have now departed Shannon Airport and are being bussed to hotels, with the last passengers leaving the airport shortly after 12:15pm.

"Their respective airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines, will contact these passengers with further updates."