Baggage chaos causes JFK delays

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American Airlines plans to cancel five flights out of New York's JFK airport after a software failure left workers sorting baggage by hand.

At least 35 flights have also been delayed by up to 90 minutes.

The problems started when software controlling conveyor belts in the baggage sorting system malfunctioned.

Some flights are leaving without all of their baggage loaded, the airline says, and passengers are being given the choice of boarding the flights or not.

System tests

Thousands of travellers have left their baggage behind in the hope that it will be delivered to them later.

Hundreds of bags have accumulated inside the terminal building.

The problems are at the airport's Terminal Eight, one of the newer buildings at the airport.

Technicians have identified the problem, but the system is still undergoing tests and is not yet up and running, according to an American Airlines spokeswoman, Andrea Huguely.