This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7319994.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Further flights cancelled at T5 Further flights cancelled at T5
(10 minutes later)
British Airways says an additional 12 short-haul flights to and from Heathrow's troubled Terminal 5 have been cancelled, taking the total to 66.British Airways says an additional 12 short-haul flights to and from Heathrow's troubled Terminal 5 have been cancelled, taking the total to 66.
The further cancellations were caused by problems with the baggage system, BA said. The disruption is due to continue with 37 flights cancelled on Sunday.The further cancellations were caused by problems with the baggage system, BA said. The disruption is due to continue with 37 flights cancelled on Sunday.
Passengers on flight BA0662 to Larnaca have remained on the tarmac since 0830 GMT due to a baggage mix-up.Passengers on flight BA0662 to Larnaca have remained on the tarmac since 0830 GMT due to a baggage mix-up.
BA has also retracted its £100 limit for delayed passengers' accommodation.BA has also retracted its £100 limit for delayed passengers' accommodation.
One passenger on the delayed Cyprus flight, Elizabeth Drury, told the BBC they had now been told by the captain they would be leaving without any luggage.One passenger on the delayed Cyprus flight, Elizabeth Drury, told the BBC they had now been told by the captain they would be leaving without any luggage.
They had been told this was because some of the bags initially put on the plane had not been screened properly.They had been told this was because some of the bags initially put on the plane had not been screened properly.
"The whole experience has been meltdown," she said."The whole experience has been meltdown," she said.
After facing criticism over its limit on hotel accomodation for delayed passengers, BA said it would cover "reasonable costs" .After facing criticism over its limit on hotel accomodation for delayed passengers, BA said it would cover "reasonable costs" .
On Thursday evening, leaflets were handed out to passengers whose flights had been delayed or cancelled, saying they were entitled to £100 compensation for two people sharing a hotel room.On Thursday evening, leaflets were handed out to passengers whose flights had been delayed or cancelled, saying they were entitled to £100 compensation for two people sharing a hotel room.
Staff at the £4.3bn terminal's hotels reservation centre said the minimum rate on Thursday night for a double room was £250.Staff at the £4.3bn terminal's hotels reservation centre said the minimum rate on Thursday night for a double room was £250.
'Improving steadily''Improving steadily'
However, on Friday night, BA announced the policy had been abandoned and it would cover "reasonable costs".However, on Friday night, BA announced the policy had been abandoned and it would cover "reasonable costs".
The Times claims BA could be facing fines of up to £5,000 per passenger because the letter breached European regulations on compensation.The Times claims BA could be facing fines of up to £5,000 per passenger because the letter breached European regulations on compensation.
Under new rules, which came into force in 2005, an airline is obliged to supply meals and refreshments, along with accommodation if an overnight stay is required, when a flight is delayed.Under new rules, which came into force in 2005, an airline is obliged to supply meals and refreshments, along with accommodation if an overnight stay is required, when a flight is delayed.
T5 LATEST
  • 66 short-haul flights cancelled on Saturday
  • 37 likely to be cancelled on Sunday
  • Long-haul flights operating
  • Passengers will be able to check in with both hand and hold baggage
  • BA information line - 0800 727800
    • Fury at Heathrow 'shambles'Q&A: Air passenger rightsYour experiences of T5    		T5 LATEST
  • 66 short-haul flights cancelled on Saturday
  • 37 likely to be cancelled on Sunday
  • Long-haul flights operating
  • Passengers will be able to check in with both hand and hold baggage
  • BA information line - 0800 727800
    • Fury at Heathrow 'shambles'Q&A: Air passenger rightsYour experiences of T5
    Simon Evans, chief executive of the Air Transport Users' Council (AUC), told the newspaper: "On the face of it, the letter is a clear breach of the regulation because it does not explain clearly what people are entitled to.Simon Evans, chief executive of the Air Transport Users' Council (AUC), told the newspaper: "On the face of it, the letter is a clear breach of the regulation because it does not explain clearly what people are entitled to.
    "The way it was worded would make some people cautious about even booking into a hotel.""The way it was worded would make some people cautious about even booking into a hotel."
    A BA spokeswoman said: "We don't believe we did controvene any regulations. We are compensating customers who contact us in accordance with the regulations and this includes accommodation, transport and food."A BA spokeswoman said: "We don't believe we did controvene any regulations. We are compensating customers who contact us in accordance with the regulations and this includes accommodation, transport and food."
    More than 100 flights at the new terminal were called off on Thursday and Friday because of earlier glitches with the baggage-handling systems.More than 100 flights at the new terminal were called off on Thursday and Friday because of earlier glitches with the baggage-handling systems.
    An airline spokeswoman said the situation was "improving steadily".
    She said all long-haul services departing from the terminal on Saturday would go ahead as planned and advised customers to check on www.ba.com for a full list of flight cancellations.
    "The airline will continue to closely monitor the situation as it works towards restoring a full operation as soon as possible," she added.
    'Disrupted journeys'
    Passengers on cancelled services will be able to rebook or apply for a refund.
    Cancelled flights, a temporary suspension in luggage check-in and baggage delays blighted the opening day of T5 on Thursday, leaving many passengers stranded overnight.
    BA chief executive Willie Walsh said he accepted the chaos "was not our finest hour".
    One baggage handler said it was "a shambles the moment the doors opened".
    He told the BBC: "BA claimed 'staff familiarisation' was to blame. The staff, however, would blame the lack of training and the essential support that was promised."
    Other sources have told the BBC low morale among staff was also a factor.
    Airport operator BAA and BA, which has sole use of T5, said they were working hard to resolve baggage issues.
    Mr Walsh said that following the initial problems terminal staff, supported by about 450 volunteers, had been "working really hard to look after our customers and offer them the world-class experience that we know Terminal 5 can deliver".
    "I'd again like to apologise to those customers who have suffered disrupted journeys or baggage delays," he added.
    The airline blamed a combination of "teething problems" for the chaos.
    Staff car parking problems, delays in getting workers screened as well as poor staff familiarisation meant many were late to their posts, BA said.
    They didn't know where to go, what bags to get Ed BlissettGMB union Send us your comments
    This resulted in a backlog of baggage which clogged up the underground conveyor system and meant delays and flight cancellations throughout Thursday and Friday.
    The company said that the backlog had been reduced from its peak of 5,000 items of luggage to 2,000 on Friday evening.
    BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said that practice runs of T5's baggage handling systems involved hundreds of staff, rather than the thousands who were involved on day one.
    Ed Blissett from the GMB union said that workers had not been familiarised with the new terminal.
    "They didn't know where to go, what bags to get, and that caused a problem - as well as the system breaking down," he said.
    A BAA spokesman said it was "focusing all our efforts on our work with British Airways to resolve baggage issues and to deliver a good service to passengers".
    BA has set up an information line for T5 passengers: 0800 727800BA has set up an information line for T5 passengers: 0800 727800
    Have you been through Terminal 5 today? What was it like? Do you work there? Tell us about the new terminal at Heathrow airport.Have you been through Terminal 5 today? What was it like? Do you work there? Tell us about the new terminal at Heathrow airport.
    You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
    Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
    Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
    Name
    		 Name