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More cancellations at Terminal 5 More cancellations at Terminal 5
(about 6 hours later)
More than 60 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after snow added to disruption that was caused by baggage-handling problems. More than a 100 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after snow added to disruption caused by earlier baggage-handling problems.
BA said 31 flights to the terminal and 31 from it were cancelled, with more delays possible due to snow. Of the flights cancelled to and from T5, 12 were due to technical problems with the baggage system.
It said air traffic control had reduced the frequency of runway traffic. The rest were the result of the bad weather that has affected flights right across Europe.
British Airways is advising the figure could rise. A total of 185 flights across Heathrow have been cancelled.
Baggage handlers had worked through the night sorting bags by hand because of a software fault in the automated system operated by BAA.Baggage handlers had worked through the night sorting bags by hand because of a software fault in the automated system operated by BAA.
The software problem was fixed in the early hours of Sunday and the baggage system is now functioning well, according to a BAA spokesman.The software problem was fixed in the early hours of Sunday and the baggage system is now functioning well, according to a BAA spokesman.
Two runways were briefly closed for de-icing after snow fell in London. He said a total of 185 flights to and from all Heathrow terminals have been cancelled.
Following the latest cancellations - 50 BA flights in addition to 12 earlier - a BA spokeswoman said: "Air traffic control has reduced the number of aircraft that can take off and land per hour." The bad weather meant two runways had to be briefly closed after heavy snow fell in London between 7am and 8am.
"This meant we had to put the snowblower and snowbrusher vehicles out to remove the snow from the runways reducing the number of aircraft that can take off and land at Heathrow."
On top of this the BAA spokesman said the airlines have to de-ice their aircraft before taking off which takes up more time than usual.
The snow has also led to the cancellation of 44 BA flights at Gatwick.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to British Airways and passengers BAA spokesman Snow falls across the UKWe are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to British Airways and passengers BAA spokesman Snow falls across the UK
Earlier, regarding baggage problems, a BA spokeswoman said: "We are having to manually reconcile bags for each flight which takes considerably more time than using the automated system." The terminal suffered baggage problems within hours of opening 10 days ago, but BA had expected to operate a full schedule of flights for the first time on Saturday, having said the problems were resolved.
The terminal suffered baggage problems within hours of opening ten days ago, but BA had expected to operate a full schedule of flights for the first time on Saturday, having said the problems were resolved. However, it ended up cancelling 24 flights when the automated system malfunctioned.
However, it ended up cancelling a total of 24 flights when the automated system malfunctioned.
A spokesman for BAA, the airport operator, said on Saturday night: "We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to British Airways and passengers."A spokesman for BAA, the airport operator, said on Saturday night: "We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to British Airways and passengers."
The baggage system was fixed around O200 BST on Sunday morning but 12 BA flights due to take off and land from T5 on Sunday had already been cancelled.
Baggage problemsBaggage problems
Since the terminal opened, hundreds of flights have been cancelled because of glitches with its new baggage-handling system, a temporary suspension of luggage check-in and staff familiarisation problems.Since the terminal opened, hundreds of flights have been cancelled because of glitches with its new baggage-handling system, a temporary suspension of luggage check-in and staff familiarisation problems.
It is thought that about 9,000 bags still need to be returned to their owners - down from 28,000 which were delayed during the past week.It is thought that about 9,000 bags still need to be returned to their owners - down from 28,000 which were delayed during the past week.
The airline said its problems were expected to cost it about £16m.The airline said its problems were expected to cost it about £16m.
BA says it will contact all passengers on cancelled flights who have given BA mobile contact details.BA says it will contact all passengers on cancelled flights who have given BA mobile contact details.
But all passengers are advised to check the BA website before travelling.But all passengers are advised to check the BA website before travelling.