Tonight:
4°c
Heathrow's T5 in baggage chaos
Peter Dominiczak29 Jun 2009
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after the baggage check-in system failed again, causing chaos in the airport.
The latest fiasco at the £4.3 billion terminal was caused by the same failure that plagued the launch of the terminal last March.
Thousands of travellers had to travel with only hand luggage after airport operator BAA suspended check-in of hold luggage while engineers fought to fix the problem yesterday afternoon.
Holidaymakers were unable to board flights for more than five hours.
Airport operator BAA said that check-in is now running normally. But British Airways said passengers were still being dealt with late into last night.
Reader views (4)
Part of the problem is that the baggage system is so complex. This is due to the number of people that transfer between flights.
Should we therefore stop pretending that Heathrow is fit to be an international hub and stop supporting transferring of baggage between flights? This may then make Heathrow be fit for British people to use. (An added benefit will be a reduction in the number of passengers, therefore there is more likely to be a free seat to use when (not if) the fight is late.
- Ian, Cambridge, 31/07/2009 13:56
Report abuse
What, again? BA and BAA haven“t learnt from the last fiasco. The only answer is to boycott BA and Terminal 5 until it is finally sorted. There are plenty of other airlines operating at Gatwick, Stanstead and Heathrow.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 31/07/2009 12:56
Report abuse
So, lets see: You are told to carry on everything "of value" and "necessary medicines" and they the amount you are allowed to carry on is restricted (and rightly so I might add).
Next checked luggage is limited by weight without extra charges, and lately more airlines are charging for ANY luggage. Then the lose it, delay it, or allow their employees - including 'security' - to steal it.
Wonderful.
- Trunk, US, 31/07/2009 12:56
Report abuse
It's no fun when you arrive on the other side of the World to be told less then ten bags where put on to your plane and that yours are still in London/Heathrow! This is just not good enough! Terminal 5 (high tech baggage handling system .. what a load of rubbish) is a complete waste of money!
- P. Jones, Bowie, Maryland, U.S.A., 31/07/2009 12:56
Report abuse
