Afternoon:
14°c
Heathrow passengers endure 10-hour queues
Benedict Moore-Bridger04.02.09
Hundreds of air passengers faced their third day of being stranded at Heathrow today as the airport struggled to cope with the aftermath of Monday's snow storms.
Passengers were bracing themselves for 10-hour queues and the prospect of another night on the terminal floor as they tried to rebook flights which had been grounded by the extreme weather.
Nelly Marinova, 26, who is four months pregnant, spent last night at the airport after the plane she was meant to be catching yesterday back to her native Bulgaria was cancelled — 15 minutes before taking off. British Airways also managed to lose her luggage without her even leaving the airport.
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After queuing for two hours, she eventually secured a flight at 3.25pm, which was again cancelled at the last minute. After more hours of queuing, she and her husband Plamen, 28, were booked onto a flight supposed to be leaving at 8.30am today.
Mrs Marinova, who has been living in Greenford, said: “It has been an absolute disaster. Not only have we had to re-book twice but they have lost my suitcase, which had everything in it — I can't believe they could just lose it without even
leaving the airport.
“We can't get information. You have to try to grab someone in a yellow jacket but they are always in a hurry.
“We can't afford a hotel, I am four months pregnant and I am having to sleep on a thin mat. We haven't been given food vouchers, I am really upset.”
Mads Larsen, 22, has been at the airport since 6.30am on Monday after flying in from New Zealand. He has been trying to get back to Copenhagen but his BA flight was cancelled and he has spent two nights in Terminal 5 waiting to leave.
Mr Larsen, who was due to fly at 6.30am today, said the whole experience has put him off Britain.
He said: “Because the flight was cancelled, I spent 10 hours in a queue to re-book. I got on a flight for yesterday afternoon, but it was cancelled again.
“I could not get a hotel as the queue was too big. I am so frustrated, it is just too much now. I don't feel that happy about being in England.”
Mr Larsen said a friend who had landed with him had booked a Danish SAS airline flight rather than BA, and was already home.
He said: “That makes me really sick. I heard there was more snow coming so I'm not even confident my next flight will leave.”
It was claimed some passengers had grown so fed
up with the delays they had even broken into cabinets to get mats to use as makeshift beds.
Bristol University graduates Kezia Quinn, 21, and Laura Parker, 22, had been told their BA flight to Delhi — which was cancelled on Monday morning — would not be rescheduled until Friday.
They queued for four hours before getting on a flight yesterday which was later cancelled.
Miss Quinn, from Watford, said: “It's almost like they create fake flights to pacify you just so you sit quietly and wait. At one point they wanted to put us on separate flights which would have got us to Delhi at 1am and 4am respectively. We're two girls travelling on our own.”
A total of 108 flights were cancelled yesterday at Heathrow as a knock-on effect from the 868 cancelled on Monday.
A spokesman for Heathrow's operators BAA said: “Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information before leaving for the airport.”
Reader views (10)
Oh well, that's life I guess. I suppose some of the disgruntled want more government, more taxes to prevent any inconvenience from ever occurring. The world's population has become so immature.
- Trunk, US
I first attempted to get out to Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday night. After being loaded onto the plane we sat there (still with the gangway attached!) for 8 hours with intermittent (and entirely useless) information about the progress (or lack of). After 8 hours we were told the flight was cancelled. Absolute chaos following this and I was told to go home, which, with the bad weather was near impossible due public transport grinding to a halt. Every person I asked gave conflicting informaion and I eventually got out and tried to get on teh next flight.
The next flight involved 1 plane, 2 sets of passenger (last nights and tonights) and no crew. After several hours of "they'll be here soon" the plane eventually took off ~5 hours late!
You can't blame BA for the weather but you can blame them for a complete lack of plan or organisation. The weather was forecast to be really bad three days before it happened. Surely this was enough time....
- Tom Jordan, Surbiton, Surrey
Interesting that most flights affected have been BA ones. BA cancelled flights from Cairo to Heathrow on both Monday and Tuesday, but my Air Egypt flight landed 15 mins early yesterday.
- A, Hounslow, UK
For all those complaining about the railways - here's an example of how much worse it can be.
- Jim, London, UK
When experiencing delays at Heathrow, in my experience wear Wellington boots. These will protect you from the sea of bulls**t shovelled out by the airport & airline disinformation services.
- Larry Harris, Amsterdam, NL
havent been on a plane now for 8 years ive all i need here. most journeys abroad are not realy needed.
- c may, bromley
Businesses fund political parties which get favorable laws. Political parties take decisions which help businesses maximise profits. There isn't even forum to complain against Airlines. AUC which exist is teethless, its decisions are not binding on Airlines.
- PRASAD, SIDCUP
Stop moaning!
- Robert Early, Berlin, Germany
Wouldn't it be nice to sail? Air travel has turned into the equivalent of the bulk handling of lambs for slaughter. They only get away with it because we keep going back for more.
- neil, london uk,
Has anyone else noticed how deliberately few and how deliberately uncomfortable those seats are, to compel you to wander round the shopping centre that you're frustrated to find yourself in? But just how much Clinique moisturiser, designer sunglasses, Thomas Pink ties and tins of Harrods Toffees does the average traveller need . . . ?!
- Roz, Chamonix, France
