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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/27/gatwick-airport-passengers-baggage-delays
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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Gatwick sorry after passengers were sent home without luggage | Gatwick sorry after passengers were sent home without luggage |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Gatwick airport has apologised after passengers were told to go home without their luggage amid delays of up to five hours at baggage reclaim. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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!" | 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!" |
| 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??" | 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??" |
| 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. | 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. |
| A Gatwick spokesman blamed staff shortages at baggage handlers Swissport but said operations were starting to return to normal. He said: "Due to resourcing issues with the baggage handlers Swissport, there were overnight issues and delays with passengers' luggage on some flights. | |
| 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. |
| "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." | "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." |
| Officials at Gatwick later said passengers will be reunited with their luggage within the next 48 hours. | Officials at Gatwick later said passengers will be reunited with their luggage within the next 48 hours. |
| The airport said: "Working with airlines, arrangements were made for passengers to leave their bags at the airport to be sent on to their home address. | The airport said: "Working with airlines, arrangements were made for passengers to leave their bags at the airport to be sent on to their home address. |
| "This process is now under way, with bags expected to be returned to passengers over the next 24-48 hours. | "This process is now under way, with bags expected to be returned to passengers over the next 24-48 hours. |
| "Passengers able to return to (the) airport can also collect bags. Staff at Skybreak ticket desk in North and South terminal will be able to assist. | "Passengers able to return to (the) airport can also collect bags. Staff at Skybreak ticket desk in North and South terminal will be able to assist. |
| "Baggage reclaim at airport has returned to normal. Gatwick and baggage agents Swissport have provided extra staff to strengthen resources." | "Baggage reclaim at airport has returned to normal. Gatwick and baggage agents Swissport have provided extra staff to strengthen resources." |
| Swissport was unavailable for immediate comment. | Swissport was unavailable for immediate comment. |