This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7342263.stm
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
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. |
BA boss defends Terminal 5 postponement | BA boss defends Terminal 5 postponement |
No date in June has yet been given for the move. | No date in June has yet been given for the move. |
The delay in moving will have a knock-on effect on other airlines who had been due to take over Terminal 4 once BA had left. | The delay in moving will have a knock-on effect on other airlines who had been due to take over Terminal 4 once BA had left. |
Those due to move into Terminal 4 include the Skyteam 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. | 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 airport operator BAA, British Airways said: "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 airport operator BAA, British Airways said: "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." |
BA's Mr Walsh added that he thought it was a sensible decision. | BA's Mr Walsh added that he thought it was a sensible decision. |
"We've clearly learned from our experiences of working in Terminal 5 since we've moved in there and it's a decision taken with our customers in mind," he told the BBC. | "We've clearly learned from our experiences of working in Terminal 5 since we've moved in there and it's a decision taken with our customers in mind," he told the BBC. |
"I think this short delay before we start phasing more aircraft into T5 gives us an opportunity to continue to work on the issues that are challenging us." | "I think this short delay before we start phasing more aircraft into T5 gives us an opportunity to continue to work on the issues that are challenging us." |
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 |
"They are less today than they were and I'm very confident." | "They are less today than they were and I'm very confident." |
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. |
Transfer delays | Transfer delays |
The biggest problems could be experienced by people transferring from a short-haul to a long-haul flight at Heathrow. | The biggest problems could be experienced by people transferring from a short-haul to a long-haul flight at Heathrow. |
BA's summer schedules assumed that passengers would be flying into and out of Terminal 5. | BA's summer schedules assumed that passengers would be flying into and out of Terminal 5. |
"If you are flying on the first flight of the day from Edinburgh down to Heathrow you would expect a quick connection to Manhattan," said Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent. | "If you are flying on the first flight of the day from Edinburgh down to Heathrow you would expect a quick connection to Manhattan," said Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent. |
"That now is going to add an extra three-and-a-quarter hours to your journey because you've got to get across from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4." | "That now is going to add an extra three-and-a-quarter hours to your journey because you've got to get across from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4." |
Knock-on effects | 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. |
This is a sensible move Paul Kenny, GMB union | |
The first wave of airlines moving into Terminal 4 was scheduled to take place in January 2009 to allow time for the carriers to build facilities such as check-in desks and lounges. | The first wave of airlines moving into Terminal 4 was scheduled to take place in January 2009 to allow time for the carriers to build facilities such as check-in desks and lounges. |
BAA is not certain how long the delay to the moves to Terminal 4 will be. | BAA is not certain how long the delay to the moves to Terminal 4 will be. |
"We have meetings scheduled today and next week with the airline community to fully understand any potential impact," a BAA spokesperson told the BBC. | "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 | 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. |
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. |