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Computer grounds Heathrow flights | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A flight was cancelled and thousands of passengers faced delays after a computer glitch caused major disruption at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3. | |
People were prevented from entering the terminal as computer screens across the building went blank. | |
The problem affected the baggage system and check-in and the airport's operator, BAA, warned luggage may have been put on the wrong flights. | |
An airport spokesman said BAA was "working hard to resolve the issue". | |
Passengers were advised to contact their airline before travelling. | Passengers were advised to contact their airline before travelling. |
Those prevented from entering Terminal 3, which serves mainly long-haul flights, on Thursday evening were given water and seating outside the building. | |
Everything was chaotic and there was a swarm of people outside Osman Salih | Everything was chaotic and there was a swarm of people outside Osman Salih |
Osman Salih, who was taking a relative to the airport to catch a flight, told BBC News: "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 sneak in. It was all a mess. |
"We had to check in over the phone because the computer systems were down. | "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." | "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. |