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T5 baggage backlog sent to Milan T5 baggage backlog sent to Milan
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of suitcases are being sent to Milan by British Airways to try to help clear a backlog of 19,000 bags at Heathrow's new Terminal 5.Thousands of suitcases are being sent to Milan by British Airways to try to help clear a backlog of 19,000 bags at Heathrow's new Terminal 5.
BA said it would be quicker for some bags to be sorted by a Milan courier company and then driven to home or holiday addresses in mainland Europe.BA said it would be quicker for some bags to be sorted by a Milan courier company and then driven to home or holiday addresses in mainland Europe.
The new £4.3bn terminal has been plagued by problems and a mounting pile of luggage since opening last week.The new £4.3bn terminal has been plagued by problems and a mounting pile of luggage since opening last week.
On Wednesday, 50 domestic and European flights were expected to be cancelled.On Wednesday, 50 domestic and European flights were expected to be cancelled.
BA has said its priority is to reunite passengers with their luggage and more than 400 volunteer staff are working to deal with the backlog. BA said its priority was to reunite passengers with their luggage as soon as possible.
It is quicker for bags with European mainland addresses to go to Milan for sorting and onward transport than waiting for space to appear on flights leaving Heathrow BA spokesman A spokesman for the airline estimated 10% of the bags would be returned to their owners more quickly if they were first sent to Milan. More than 400 volunteer staff have been working to deal with the backlog.
The rest would be flown direct to their destinations on BA flights. It is quicker for bags with European mainland addresses to go to Milan for sorting and onward transport than waiting for space to appear on flights leaving Heathrow BA spokesman
He explained if a person was on holiday in Paris for two weeks, BA would aim to reunite them with their bags at their hotel. A spokesman for the airline said: "We recognise there are a lot of customers who have had their bags delayed.
"The majority will be reunited with them within the coming days. And those with bags going to Milan, we will try to reunite them with their bags as soon as possible."
He estimated 10% of the bags would be transported 600 miles by lorry to Milan. The first of the lorries were already on their way, he said.
Other luggage would be flown on BA aircraft to destinations in mainland Europe, closest to where the owners were staying.
Meanwhile, bags belonging to people in the UK are being sorted at Heathrow and other airports at Gatwick, Manchester and in Scotland.
Customers are being advised they can track baggage by calling BA or going to its website and using a code issued on their baggage reclaim form.
'Quicker route'
The BA spokesman explained if a person was on holiday in Paris for two weeks, BA would aim to reunite them with their bags at their hotel.
The use of the Italian courier firm was an additional measure and was not unusual, he said.The use of the Italian courier firm was an additional measure and was not unusual, he said.
He added: "Delayed bags must undergo enhanced levels of security screening. He added: "Delayed bags must undergo enhanced levels of security screening. Much of this process must be done manually rather than using the automated baggage systems.
"Much of this process must be done manually rather than using the automated baggage systems.
"Although the majority of delayed bags will be sorted and reflighted at Heathrow, we can reunite larger numbers of bags with their owners more quickly."Although the majority of delayed bags will be sorted and reflighted at Heathrow, we can reunite larger numbers of bags with their owners more quickly.
"It is quicker for bags with European mainland addresses to go to Milan for sorting and onward transport than waiting for space to appear on flights leaving Heathrow.""It is quicker for bags with European mainland addresses to go to Milan for sorting and onward transport than waiting for space to appear on flights leaving Heathrow."
British Airways has continued to cancel flights from T5. By Thursday it aims to have 92% of flights operating. BA said it was too early to say how much the luggage fiasco would cost the company.
Since opening, hundreds of flights from T5 have been cancelled. By Thursday, it aims to have 92% of flights operating.