This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21095656

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BA sorry for luggage and flight problems caused by snow Severe weather in London
(35 minutes later)
British Airways has apologised to passengers who were stuck on planes at Heathrow as snow delayed and cancelled hundreds of flights.British Airways has apologised to passengers who were stuck on planes at Heathrow as snow delayed and cancelled hundreds of flights.
More than 400 flights were cancelled on Friday and some passengers were kept on board aircraft to use take-off slots as soon as they became available.More than 400 flights were cancelled on Friday and some passengers were kept on board aircraft to use take-off slots as soon as they became available.
Heathrow said flights were returning to normal on Saturday with 44 aircraft taking off and landing every hour.Heathrow said flights were returning to normal on Saturday with 44 aircraft taking off and landing every hour.
However, due to the backlog from Friday there is still some disruption.However, due to the backlog from Friday there is still some disruption.
Passengers travelling on Friday complained of being on board for several hours while others were unable to collect their luggage.Passengers travelling on Friday complained of being on board for several hours while others were unable to collect their luggage.
British Airways said it was "doing all it could" it to help customers.British Airways said it was "doing all it could" it to help customers.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said 100 flights, most of which were short-haul, had been cancelled on Saturday and that the airport was open after de-icing overnight.A spokesperson for Heathrow said 100 flights, most of which were short-haul, had been cancelled on Saturday and that the airport was open after de-icing overnight.
'Mildly hysterical''Mildly hysterical'
The freezing conditions forced the closure of a runway for de-icing, as the airport's usual number of 42 take-off and landing slots an hour was reduced to six at one point - and an average of 26 for most of the day.The freezing conditions forced the closure of a runway for de-icing, as the airport's usual number of 42 take-off and landing slots an hour was reduced to six at one point - and an average of 26 for most of the day.
Priority for the slots was given to long haul flights whereas most BA services are short-haul, a spokesman said.Priority for the slots was given to long haul flights whereas most BA services are short-haul, a spokesman said.
A spokesman for British Airways said: "Due to the severe weather yesterday, there will be knock-on disruption to flights today and we would strongly advise customers to check the very latest status of their flight via ba.com before coming to the airport.A spokesman for British Airways said: "Due to the severe weather yesterday, there will be knock-on disruption to flights today and we would strongly advise customers to check the very latest status of their flight via ba.com before coming to the airport.
"We are keeping our schedule under constant review and will adjust it further if we need to. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.""We are keeping our schedule under constant review and will adjust it further if we need to. We apologise for the inconvenience caused."
Passenger Ian Aitchison, who was due to fly to the US for a conference, said he was "mildly hysterical" about being on a plane for more than six hours before the flight was cancelled and he was then told he would be unable to get his luggage back.Passenger Ian Aitchison, who was due to fly to the US for a conference, said he was "mildly hysterical" about being on a plane for more than six hours before the flight was cancelled and he was then told he would be unable to get his luggage back.
"We're trying to get our luggage back, of course, and BA have told us we can't have our luggage so all the suitcases are being held of all the people who are on the cancelled BA flights."We're trying to get our luggage back, of course, and BA have told us we can't have our luggage so all the suitcases are being held of all the people who are on the cancelled BA flights.
"So, I'm with a party of people here flying over to the US, and we're all trying to find ourselves hotels. We've not got our cases."So, I'm with a party of people here flying over to the US, and we're all trying to find ourselves hotels. We've not got our cases.
"It will be sent on alternative flights or you can arrange to have it sent to you through the website."It will be sent on alternative flights or you can arrange to have it sent to you through the website.
"It's pretty funny. To be honest I'm mildly hysterical... obviously there's a lot of people who are quite upset."It's pretty funny. To be honest I'm mildly hysterical... obviously there's a lot of people who are quite upset.
"Mostly people are just confused and dazed rather than shouting and swearing.""Mostly people are just confused and dazed rather than shouting and swearing."
'It's miserable''It's miserable'
He said airline staff had been very "polite and helpful" walking around talking to passengers but "the problem is that they don't know what's going happen next".He said airline staff had been very "polite and helpful" walking around talking to passengers but "the problem is that they don't know what's going happen next".
Jerry Meng, from Los Angeles, spent the night at the airport after his 11:00 GMT flight to New York was cancelled.Jerry Meng, from Los Angeles, spent the night at the airport after his 11:00 GMT flight to New York was cancelled.
He said: "There are lots of bodies lying around in the airport. If feels like there's been a natural disaster.He said: "There are lots of bodies lying around in the airport. If feels like there's been a natural disaster.
"The staff have been helpful, they've been handing out blankets and water bottles."The staff have been helpful, they've been handing out blankets and water bottles.
"It's miserable - but that's nature. It's better to be safe and protect peoples' lives.""It's miserable - but that's nature. It's better to be safe and protect peoples' lives."
British Airways said customers who no longer wished to travel over the weekend could rebook their flight for a later date. Refunds and overnight accommodation were also being offered, or letters for customers to make a claim at a later date.British Airways said customers who no longer wished to travel over the weekend could rebook their flight for a later date. Refunds and overnight accommodation were also being offered, or letters for customers to make a claim at a later date.