This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/27/gatwick-airport-passengers-baggage-delays

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gatwick airport passengers face baggage delays of up to five hours Gatwick sorry after passengers were sent home without luggage
(about 2 hours later)
Passengers of four airlines at Gatwick airport have been advised to go home without their luggage after baggage delays of up to five hours. Gatwick airport has apologised after passengers were told to go home without their luggage amid delays of up to five hours to reclaim their baggage.
Officials at the airport informed passengers of British Airways flights who had waited more than an hour for their bags to be returned on Sunday morning, and those on Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson flights who had been waiting 90 minutes or more, that their luggage would be forwarded to their home address. Frustrated travellers arriving at the West Sussex airport on Saturday night and early Sunday morning criticised the lengthy delays. Some complained about a lack of information, with just a public address message apologising for the "debacle" and families with young children having to wait.
It is understood easyJet passengers have also been affected, but had not been advised to leave without their baggage. One tweeted: "Great holiday but sour taste after the debacle in baggage reclaim last night. If Carlsberg did airports it wouldn't be Gatwick Airport!"
Staff shortages at the baggage handlers Swissport caused the delay, a spokesman for the airport said. Another wrote: "I am backing Gatwick for a second runway but if u cant handle passenger influx with one runway, how will u handle 2??"
"Due to resourcing issues with the baggage handlers Swissport there were overnight issues and delays with passengers' luggage on some flights. Affected travellers with British Airways, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson were told their luggage would be sent to their homes. It is understood that easyJet passengers were also affected but were not advised to leave without their baggage.
"Gatwick provided extra staff to help the airlines and their baggage handlers improve their service, as well as providing welfare and water for passengers waiting in the baggage areas, but we are sorry for the delays they faced. Baggage operations are now returning to normal." A Gatwick airport spokesman blamed staff shortages with baggage handlers Swissport but said operations were starting to return to normal.
Baggage operations are now returning to normal at the airport. We apologise to any passengers affected by baggage delays overnight.Baggage operations are now returning to normal at the airport. We apologise to any passengers affected by baggage delays overnight.
Frustrated passengers vented their anger on Twitter. One said: "Chaos @Gatwick_Airport thanks to £SwissPort and their poor service. 2 hours down and still waiting." He said: "Due to resourcing issues with the baggage handlers Swissport there were overnight issues and delays with passengers' luggage on some flights.
Another user tweeted: "Swissport handling at Gatwick absolute rubbish." "Gatwick provided extra staff to help the airlines and their baggage handlers improve their service, as well as providing welfare and water for passengers waiting in the baggage areas but we are sorry for the delays they faced. Baggage operations are now returning to normal."
Swissport was unavailable for immediate comment.