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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| BA postpones long-haul move to T5 | BA postpones long-haul move to T5 |
| (30 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. |
| The delay in moving will have a knock-on affect on other airlines, which had been due to take over Terminal 4 once BA had left. | |
| Airlines due to move into Terminal 4 include the Star Team Alliance, among whose members are Air France-KLM, Delta and Continental Airlines. | |
| There will also be a number of non-aligned airlines moving such as Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Air India. | |
| Tough opening | Tough opening |
| 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." | 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 the baggage system and its operation, and develop a robust timescale for phasing the move of Terminal 4 services into Terminal 5." | "We will work together to iron out any remaining problems, including the baggage 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 price | BAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive British Airways share price |
| BA's Mr Walsh added that the companies had taken the decision "in the interests of customers". | BA's Mr Walsh added that the companies had taken the decision "in the interests of customers". |
| "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." | "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." |
| Sixty arrivals and 60 departures per day were due to be moved. | Sixty arrivals and 60 departures per day were due to be moved. |
| Customers whose terminal has been changed will be contacted shortly, BA and BAA said. | Customers whose terminal has been changed will be contacted shortly, BA and BAA said. |
| Knock-on effects | |
| 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'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. | "BAA regrets this postponement and we recognise the impact it has on other airlines," he added. |
| The other airlines that will be affected are the ones that were supposed to be moving into Terminal 4 when BA moved out. | |
| The first phase of moves was due to take place in January 2009 to allow time for the airlines to build things like check-in desks and lounges. | |
| BAA is not yet certain how long a delay there will be to the moves to Terminal 4. | |
| "We have meetings scheduled today and next week with the airline community to fully understand any potential impact," a BAA spokesperson told the BBC. | |
| Lost bags | |
| 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. |