24 March 2025, 13:56

By Sam Phibbs

Heathrow’s sudden closure following a devastating electrical blaze sparked chaos and disruption for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

While passengers’ travel plans were thrown into disarray, the consequences extended far beyond the terminal. With flights grounded and cargo delayed, businesses face stalled production lines, supply shortages, and missed shipments. It’s a stark reminder of the fragile supply chains underpinning our global economy.

But should we really be surprised? There’s a growing sense that unpredictable events with extreme consequences – often described as ‘Black Swans’ - are becoming increasingly frequent.

Last year, global supply chains faced severe disruption when a tanker brought down the Baltimore Bridge, in the........

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