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Luggage problems hit Terminal 5 | Luggage problems hit Terminal 5 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Passengers at Heathrow Terminal 5 have faced disruption following problems with the baggage system. | |
Check-in was suspended by airport operator BAA because of a mechanical failure, but it was later reopened after the problem was resolved. | |
British Airways warned there would be delays but said it was doing everything it could to minimise disruption. | British Airways warned there would be delays but said it was doing everything it could to minimise disruption. |
One baggage handler said there were more than 1,000 pieces of luggage piled up at one stage. | |
A BAA spokeswoman said: "We are working hard with our colleagues at British Airways to help passengers to continue their journeys. | A BAA spokeswoman said: "We are working hard with our colleagues at British Airways to help passengers to continue their journeys. |
"We hope that passengers wishing to depart tonight will be able to do so and we are sorry for the obvious inconvenience to travellers and British Airways." | "We hope that passengers wishing to depart tonight will be able to do so and we are sorry for the obvious inconvenience to travellers and British Airways." |
Backlog | Backlog |
A BA spokesman said there would be a knock-on effect. | A BA spokesman said there would be a knock-on effect. |
"As a result of the problem some passengers have been unable to check in bags. Check-in has now reopened but there will be some delays. | "As a result of the problem some passengers have been unable to check in bags. Check-in has now reopened but there will be some delays. |
"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience. We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption." | "We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience. We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption." |
Earlier, he said he could not be sure how long the backlog would take to clear once the fault was fixed. | Earlier, he said he could not be sure how long the backlog would take to clear once the fault was fixed. |
Barry Goldstone, who was due to fly to Denver with BA on Sunday afternoon, said it was "absolute chaos". | Barry Goldstone, who was due to fly to Denver with BA on Sunday afternoon, said it was "absolute chaos". |
There were couples going on their honeymoon crying and younger girls crying too MickTerminal 5 passenger | There were couples going on their honeymoon crying and younger girls crying too MickTerminal 5 passenger |
"We've received very little information. Our flight was due to be at 1545 BST, but we weren't given any information by BA as to whether there are any back-up systems," he said. | "We've received very little information. Our flight was due to be at 1545 BST, but we weren't given any information by BA as to whether there are any back-up systems," he said. |
"They don't seem to have any continuity plan if anything goes wrong, and unfortunately they don't seem to have any consistency of information either." | "They don't seem to have any continuity plan if anything goes wrong, and unfortunately they don't seem to have any consistency of information either." |
Mick, from Dublin, Ireland, told the BBC: "I waited in the queue to check in bags for the full three hours prior to my flight leaving. | Mick, from Dublin, Ireland, told the BBC: "I waited in the queue to check in bags for the full three hours prior to my flight leaving. |
"The queue moved maybe two people in that time. I was told that BA would not send on the luggage if I took my flight so I had to miss it. | "The queue moved maybe two people in that time. I was told that BA would not send on the luggage if I took my flight so I had to miss it. |
"There were couples going on their honeymoon crying and younger girls crying too." | "There were couples going on their honeymoon crying and younger girls crying too." |
The baggage handler described the situation as "absolute chaos". | The baggage handler described the situation as "absolute chaos". |
The terminal was hit with problems when it opened in March 2008, with flights cancelled and thousands of bags lost. | The terminal was hit with problems when it opened in March 2008, with flights cancelled and thousands of bags lost. |
Are you at Heathrow Terminal 5? Do you know someone who has been held up at the airport? Let us know what is happening near you. | Are you at Heathrow Terminal 5? Do you know someone who has been held up at the airport? Let us know what is happening near you. |
You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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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. |
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