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Third day of flight misery at T5 Third day of flight misery at T5
(about 2 hours later)
Baggage problems are causing delays, cancellations and misery for a third day for British Airways passengers using Terminal 5 at Heathrow.Baggage problems are causing delays, cancellations and misery for a third day for British Airways passengers using Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
One fifth of flights from the troubled terminal were scrapped on Saturday - 67 out of the 330 scheduled.One fifth of flights from the troubled terminal were scrapped on Saturday - 67 out of the 330 scheduled.
Apologising to customers, BA said baggage problems were again to blame.
Many passengers reported departing on flights after being told their luggage would not be travelling. A further 37 flights have been cancelled for Sunday.Many passengers reported departing on flights after being told their luggage would not be travelling. A further 37 flights have been cancelled for Sunday.
The airline has also scrapped its £100 limit for delayed passengers' hotels.
Check-in was suspended for an hour after 0900 GMT on Saturday as airport workers attempted to deal with the backlog.Check-in was suspended for an hour after 0900 GMT on Saturday as airport workers attempted to deal with the backlog.
Lifts stalled
The airline has also retracted its £100 limit for delayed passengers' accommodation, saying it would look at all reasonable claims for costs.
The whole experience has been meltdown Elizabeth DruryPassengerThe whole experience has been meltdown Elizabeth DruryPassenger
The brand new fifth terminal opened to great fanfare early on Thursday, but problems with the baggage handling system and "staff familiarisation" quickly derailed operations. The brand new fifth terminal opened amid great fanfare early on Thursday, but problems with the baggage handling system and "staff familiarisation" quickly derailed operations.
More than 100 flights were cancelled during the first two days. A total of 208 flights in and out of the terminal were cancelled during the first three days.
Airport operator BAA also confirmed that a "small percentage" of lifts at the terminal were not working on Saturday, but said they were either not in passenger areas or would not interfere with passenger flow.Airport operator BAA also confirmed that a "small percentage" of lifts at the terminal were not working on Saturday, but said they were either not in passenger areas or would not interfere with passenger flow.
Left luggageLeft luggage
On one of the delayed planes, passengers on flight BA0662 to Larnaca were held on the tarmac for some four hours before leaving at 1205 GMT.On one of the delayed planes, passengers on flight BA0662 to Larnaca were held on the tarmac for some four hours before leaving at 1205 GMT.
T5 LATEST
  • 67 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
  • 67 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
    One, Elizabeth Drury, told the BBC the captain said they would be leaving without any luggage.One, Elizabeth Drury, told the BBC the captain said 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.
    A group of school pupils on flight BA285 to San Francisco also said they were told by the airline that their bags were not on board and they could choose whether or not to travel. They were bound for a skiing trip.A group of school pupils on flight BA285 to San Francisco also said they were told by the airline that their bags were not on board and they could choose whether or not to travel. They were bound for a skiing trip.
    "It could ruin it because we are scheduled to start ski-ing tomorrow," said one schoolgirl, Natalie Bakhurst."It could ruin it because we are scheduled to start ski-ing tomorrow," said one schoolgirl, Natalie Bakhurst.
    Costs consideredCosts considered
    BA said it apologised to its customers for disruption and its operational staff were working "tirelessly" to make the "operation work robustly". BA said it apologised to its customers for disruption and its operational staff were working tirelessly to make the operation work "robustly".
    Some passengers were forced to depart without their luggageSome passengers were forced to depart without their luggage
    They advised people to call their information line or check their website before travelling.They advised people to call their information line or check their website before travelling.
    The airline has also faced criticism over its upper limit on hotel accommodation costs for delayed passengers.The airline has also faced criticism over its upper limit on hotel accommodation costs for delayed passengers.
    On Thursday evening, leaflets were handed out to blighted passengers saying they were entitled to £100 compensation for two people sharing a hotel room.On Thursday evening, leaflets were handed out to blighted passengers saying they were entitled to £100 compensation for two people sharing a hotel room.
    But the airline has since said it will consider any "reasonable accommodation cost" claims.But the airline has since said it will consider any "reasonable accommodation cost" claims.
    Under 2005 rules, an airline is obliged to supply meals and refreshments, along with accommodation if an overnight stay is required, when a flight is delayed. The Air Transport Users Council said the letter could be in breach of regulations.Under 2005 rules, an airline is obliged to supply meals and refreshments, along with accommodation if an overnight stay is required, when a flight is delayed. The Air Transport Users Council said the letter could be in breach of regulations.
    The unexpected heavy demand for hotel rooms when the crisis began on Thursday meant that by the evening passengers were being asked to pay £250 for a double room.The unexpected heavy demand for hotel rooms when the crisis began on Thursday meant that by the evening passengers were being asked to pay £250 for a double room.
    But by Saturday night a typical rate for a single room at one of Heathrow's airport hotels was about £80.But by Saturday night a typical rate for a single room at one of Heathrow's airport hotels was about £80.
    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.
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