Airport chaos at Terminal 5
[28th March 2008]
There are more flight cancellations and delays at Heathrow Terminal 5 today after the disastrous first day when those lucky enough to get away had to fly without hold baggage and stranded passengers had to stay overnight in airport hotels.
British Airways says it plans to operate 80% of flights from Terminal 5 today, including all long haul flights. The airline claims that all passengers using T5 will be able to check in both hand luggage and hold baggage. But customers are advised to check the status of their flight on the BA website before travelling to the airport.
In a statement BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We sincerely apologise to those customers who have suffered disrupted journeys or baggage delays during the first day in T5. We always knew the first day would represent a unique challenge. A number of early problems grew during the course of the day which led to significant disruption for our customers".
The failure of the hi-tech baggage handling system is being blamed on baggage handlers being delayed at the airport car park reserved for staff and at airport security. "Teething problems have included car parking provision, delays in staff security screening and staff familiarisation with the terminal,' BA said in a statement.
BA has promised refunds for passengers whose flights have been cancelled but was not prepared to pay for airport hotel rooms for passengers stranded at Terminal 5. In a letter it handed out to passengers at the terminal the airline did say it may reimburse passengers for some out of pocket expenses.
After all the hype and expectation the opening of T5, which was supposed to herald a new era in air travel in the UK and transform the passenger experience at Heathrow airport, has been an unmitigated disaster for airport operator BAA and T5's only occupant, British Airways.
Written by: Nick Purdom
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