Heathrow Airport is still trying to clear a backlog of thousands of bags following last week's terror alerts.
Heathrow Airport is still trying to clear a backlog of thousands of bags following last week's terror alerts.
Despite extra staff being brought in, the system is "under considerable strain", with about 23,000 bags handled a day, British Airways (BA) said.
Despite extra staff being brought in, the system is "under considerable strain", with about 23,000 bags handled a day, British Airways (BA) said.
Extra security checks, following a failed car bomb attack in London, and flight delays because of heavy rain caused the backlog.
Extra security checks, following a failed car bomb attack in London, and flight delays because of heavy rain caused the backlog.
Last week Terminal 4 was also closed after a suspect package was found.
Last week Terminal 4 was also closed after a suspect package was found.
BA said could be days before the owners were reunited with their baggage.
BA said could be days before the owners were reunited with their baggage.
System failures
System failures
A spokesman said: "The majority of delayed bags which are currently at Heathrow are transfer bags, where they have missed their onward flight.
A spokesman said: "The majority of delayed bags which are currently at Heathrow are transfer bags, where they have missed their onward flight.
"We have been handling 23,000 transfer bags at Heathrow per day with processes and systems which were designed to handle around 18,000 per day."
"We have been handling 23,000 transfer bags at Heathrow per day with processes and systems which were designed to handle around 18,000 per day."
In the past few years BA has been plagued by missing luggage problems.
In the past few years BA has been plagued by missing luggage problems.
In April 2007 Association of European Airlines (AEA) records revealed the company had the worst missing luggage record among all European airlines in 2006, losing on average 3,000 bags a day.
In April 2007 Association of European Airlines (AEA) records revealed the company had the worst missing luggage record among all European airlines in 2006, losing on average 3,000 bags a day.
During the last Christmas holiday period cancellations resulting from fog and a failure in baggage system, led to a massive backlog.
During the last Christmas holiday period cancellations resulting from fog and a failure in baggage system, led to a massive backlog.
In August 2006, terrorist alerts and subsequent delays resulted in a backlog of 40,000 and about 10,000 bags went missing.
In August 2006, terrorist alerts and subsequent delays resulted in a backlog of 40,000 and about 10,000 bags went missing.
In 2003, Air Transport Users Council placed BA at the top of the List of bags mishandled by European airlines.
In 2003, Air Transport Users Council placed BA at the top of the List of bags mishandled by European airlines.
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