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More Heathrow delays
30/03/2008 19:12 - (SA)
London - Travellers hoping to fly from
the new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow airport on Monday face
more delays from teething troubles with the computerised baggage
handling system, British Airways said on Sunday.
Nearly 250 flights have been cancelled since Thursday's
chaotic opening of the £4.3bn showcase terminal and more
cancellations are due in coming days, giving the airline a
financial and public relations headache.
"We are sorry for the disruption and inconvenience caused to
customers whose flights have been cancelled or whose bags have
been delayed," said BA chief executive Willie Walsh, whose
airline has exclusive use of the new facility.
"We continue to work towards increasing the number of
services in the days ahead.
"The baggage system is now generally working well. From time
to time problems have developed that were not encountered during
the extensive trials. These issues are being addressed as they
arise by a team of engineers and IT specialists."
An airline spokesperson could not predict when services would
return to normal.
BA shares fell 3% on Friday, hit by the Heathrow
chaos and worries ahead of Sunday's start of an "open skies"
deal to create greater competition on trans-Atlantic routes. Compensation bill
The airline also faces a sizeable compensation bill for
passengers delayed and forced to stay overnight in hotels.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it had written to BA about
reports it had only offered stranded passengers £100
to cover hotels bills rather than meeting its legal obligation
to provide a room irrespective of cost.
BA said it expected to operate the terminal at 87% capacity on Monday and Tuesday, against Sunday's 85%.
The launch of the terminal has proved a public relations
disaster for BA, which had hoped the new building would answer
criticism prompted by overcrowding at the world's busiest
international airport.
The problems have also triggered a fresh bout of
soul-searching among Britons about their failure to deliver
large infrastructure projects.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said on Sunday she had held
talks with the airline and airport operator BAA, owned by
Spain's Ferrovial, and was prepared to step in with unspecified
help if it became necessary.
"Everything possible must be done to deliver a better
service for passengers who are unfortunately still facing
disruption and delays to their journeys," she said.
BA drafted in 400 extra staff on Sunday to shift 15 000
items of baggage built up since Thursday.
- Reuters
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