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Computer glitch cancels flights | Computer glitch cancels flights |
(40 minutes later) | |
Some flights will be cancelled and some delayed after a computer glitch caused major disruption at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3, BAA has warned. | Some flights will be cancelled and some delayed after a computer glitch caused major disruption at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3, BAA has warned. |
Thousands of passengers were prevented from entering the terminal after computer screens in the building were reported to have gone blank. | Thousands of passengers were prevented from entering the terminal after computer screens in the building were reported to have gone blank. |
The problem had affected the baggage system and check-in, BAA said. | The problem had affected the baggage system and check-in, BAA said. |
A spokesman for the airport operator said it was "working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible". | A spokesman for the airport operator said it was "working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible". |
Passengers were advised to contact their airline before travelling. | Passengers were advised to contact their airline before travelling. |
Passengers prevented from entering Terminal 3 on Thursday evening were given water and seating outside the terminal, which serves mainly long-haul flights. | Passengers prevented from entering Terminal 3 on Thursday evening were given water and seating outside the terminal, which serves mainly long-haul flights. |
Everything was chaotic and there was a swarm of people outside Osman Salih | |
Osman Salih, who was taking a relative to catch a flight from Terminal 3, said: "They would not let us in to the airport without a boarding pass but there was nowhere outside to get one. | |
"We had to sneak in. It was all a mess. | |
"We had to check in over the phone because the computer systems were down. | |
"Everything was chaotic. The escalators and parking meters were down and there was a swarm of people outside." | |
A BAA spokesman said: "A computer problem is affecting Terminal 3's baggage system, which, in turn, is having an impact on check-in. | A BAA spokesman said: "A computer problem is affecting Terminal 3's baggage system, which, in turn, is having an impact on check-in. |
"Passengers are being checked in, however the process is slower than normal, which means that some flights are delayed and some will be cancelled. | "Passengers are being checked in, however the process is slower than normal, which means that some flights are delayed and some will be cancelled. |
"We are sorry for the obvious inconvenience to passengers and airlines." | "We are sorry for the obvious inconvenience to passengers and airlines." |
The airport was branded a "national humiliation" when the launch of Terminal 5 in March caused chaos. | The airport was branded a "national humiliation" when the launch of Terminal 5 in March caused chaos. |
Are you at Terminal 3? Are you due to take a flight? Have you been delayed? Send us your comments and pictures using the form below: | Are you at Terminal 3? Are you due to take a flight? Have you been delayed? Send us your comments and pictures using the form below: |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |