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BA postpones long-haul move to T5 BA postpones long-haul move to T5
(10 minutes later)
British Airways has delayed moving most of its long-haul flights to Heathrow's new Terminal 5 until June.British Airways has delayed moving most of its long-haul flights to Heathrow's new Terminal 5 until June.
"It is only sensible to ensure that Terminal 5 is operating consistently at a high standard before the move begins," said BA boss Willie Walsh."It is only sensible to ensure that Terminal 5 is operating consistently at a high standard before the move begins," said BA boss Willie Walsh.
The new £4.3bn terminal has been plagued by problems, especially with its baggage handling, since it opened.The new £4.3bn terminal has been plagued by problems, especially with its baggage handling, since it opened.
Almost all of BA's long-haul flights were supposed to switch from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 on 30 April.Almost all of BA's long-haul flights were supposed to switch from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 on 30 April.
Tough openingTough opening
Sixty arrivals and 60 departures per day were due to be moved. In a joint statement with BAA, the airports operator, BA said that: "While a normal flight schedule has been operated at Terminal 5 since Tuesday, we want to ensure that customers can be confident of high service standards when additional flights are introduced."
"We will work together to iron out any remaining problems, including thebaggage system and its operation, and develop a robust timescale for phasing the move of Terminal 4 services into Terminal 5."
BAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive British Airways share priceBAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive British Airways share price
Customers whose terminal has been changed will be contacted shortly, a joint statement from BA and the airport operator BAA said. BA's Mr Walsh added that the companies had taken the decision "in theinterests of customers".
BAA said that a normal flight schedule had been operating at Terminal 5 since Tuesday. "Though Terminal 5 is now working well, we need to have confidence that good service can be maintained when the terminal is handling larger numbers of customers."
But its chief executive Colin Matthews said: "BAA fully recognises that the inauguration of Terminal Five has not been as smooth as we and BA would have wished." Sixty arrivals and 60 departures per day were due to be moved.
"BAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines," he added. Customers whose terminal has been changed will be contacted shortly, BA and BAA said.
Lost bagsLost bags
BAA's chief executive Colin Matthews said: "BAA fully recognises that the inauguration of Terminal Five has not been as smooth as we and BA would have wished."
"BAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines," he added.
Terminal 5 opened on 27 March, but was not able to offer its full short-haul schedule until 8 April.Terminal 5 opened on 27 March, but was not able to offer its full short-haul schedule until 8 April.
Thousands of passengers have lost their bags and hundreds of flights have been delayed or cancelled.Thousands of passengers have lost their bags and hundreds of flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Last week, BA said the problems had cost it at least £16m so far.Last week, BA said the problems had cost it at least £16m so far.
"This is a sensible move, which gives time to make sure everything works smoothly," said Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union."This is a sensible move, which gives time to make sure everything works smoothly," said Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union.
BA shares opened 1.4% higher in London and were not significantly moved by the announcement.BA shares opened 1.4% higher in London and were not significantly moved by the announcement.
Are you about to fly into or leave from Heathrow? What do you think about the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you about to fly into or leave from Heathrow? What do you think about the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
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