wizardmickey
03-30-2008, 07:27 PM
My darling Mrs. Ice (Christy for the handful of you who've met her) called me from Scotland this afternoon telling me to do a websearch concerning problems at London/Heathrow's new Terminal 5. This is what I found out:
Heathrow LONDON — Heathrow Airport opened a gleaming new terminal Thursday in an effort to ease congestion and brighten up the aging hub near London, but initial delays left passengers less than enthusiastic about the expensive new structure.
Terminal 5, a large space flooded with light and with an open view of the airfield and countryside beyond, was built to ease congestion and brighten up the busy but increasingly run-down and cramped London airport.
The first plane arrived from Hong Kong without a problem. But then the passengers from Miami found they could not get off the plane because of jetway problems.
Once those were solved, they said they waited 30 minutes in the new baggage hall, where airport officials had vowed the state-of-the-art belt system would be ready "from day one" to repair Heathrow's reputation as a place where arrivals are slowed by poor baggage handling.
The new terminal's problems forced British Airways to cancel 33 of 534 departing flights on Thursday flights.
British Airways has exclusive use of terminal — which is able to handle 30 million passengers a year — and is moving many of its flights from Heathrow's other terminals to the new building
Technical problems with the baggage handling system have beset the opening of Heathrow's new fifth terminal, forcing incoming passengers to wait up to two hours for their luggage.
Despite assurances that hi-tech systems would end the notorious disruption suffered by arrivals at the airport, passengers were left fuming at the long waits.
In addition, travellers heading through departures faced long queues to pass through check-in and security.
To add to the teething problems a set of escalators, which had worked perfectly for six months before the opening, broke down, while there were also difficulties for people trying to pay at a car park during the early morning.
British Airways, the sole occupant of the new terminal, was eventually forced to cancel 68 out of 380 flights Thursday.
About 20 per cent flights out of Terminal 5 have been cancelled Friday and officials say the problem may extend into Saturday.
"They're calling this an absolute national embarrassment," CTV's London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy reported Friday.
Tony Pascoe, 35, and his mother arrived at the airport at 4 a.m. Friday to fly to Vienna for a holiday.
Pascoe, whose mother is flying for the first time ever, told The Daily Telegraph that none of the desks were open when they arrived and then they were told that their flight was cancelled.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh offered his sincere apologies to customers Friday, admitting to getting "off to a very poor start."
The baggage system is supposed to be able to handle 12,000 bags an hour.
"I'm not a happy bunny,'' said Sarah Lowdon, whose flight to Newcastle was cancelled Thursday. "They said they'd refund my money but the time I've lost is mine. They said it was because of baggage problems, but all I have is a carry-on. I'm being penalized for their mistakes," she told The Associated Press.
Other problems included a shortage of parking spots for employees and major delays in the security screening of staff, said Kennedy.
Terminal 5 is Britain's largest enclosed space and is equipped to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.
At the opening two weeks ago, which was attended by the Queen, officials said the new terminal would help solve congestion at Heathrow's other terminals.
Heathrow LONDON — Heathrow Airport opened a gleaming new terminal Thursday in an effort to ease congestion and brighten up the aging hub near London, but initial delays left passengers less than enthusiastic about the expensive new structure.
Terminal 5, a large space flooded with light and with an open view of the airfield and countryside beyond, was built to ease congestion and brighten up the busy but increasingly run-down and cramped London airport.
The first plane arrived from Hong Kong without a problem. But then the passengers from Miami found they could not get off the plane because of jetway problems.
Once those were solved, they said they waited 30 minutes in the new baggage hall, where airport officials had vowed the state-of-the-art belt system would be ready "from day one" to repair Heathrow's reputation as a place where arrivals are slowed by poor baggage handling.
The new terminal's problems forced British Airways to cancel 33 of 534 departing flights on Thursday flights.
British Airways has exclusive use of terminal — which is able to handle 30 million passengers a year — and is moving many of its flights from Heathrow's other terminals to the new building
Technical problems with the baggage handling system have beset the opening of Heathrow's new fifth terminal, forcing incoming passengers to wait up to two hours for their luggage.
Despite assurances that hi-tech systems would end the notorious disruption suffered by arrivals at the airport, passengers were left fuming at the long waits.
In addition, travellers heading through departures faced long queues to pass through check-in and security.
To add to the teething problems a set of escalators, which had worked perfectly for six months before the opening, broke down, while there were also difficulties for people trying to pay at a car park during the early morning.
British Airways, the sole occupant of the new terminal, was eventually forced to cancel 68 out of 380 flights Thursday.
About 20 per cent flights out of Terminal 5 have been cancelled Friday and officials say the problem may extend into Saturday.
"They're calling this an absolute national embarrassment," CTV's London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy reported Friday.
Tony Pascoe, 35, and his mother arrived at the airport at 4 a.m. Friday to fly to Vienna for a holiday.
Pascoe, whose mother is flying for the first time ever, told The Daily Telegraph that none of the desks were open when they arrived and then they were told that their flight was cancelled.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh offered his sincere apologies to customers Friday, admitting to getting "off to a very poor start."
The baggage system is supposed to be able to handle 12,000 bags an hour.
"I'm not a happy bunny,'' said Sarah Lowdon, whose flight to Newcastle was cancelled Thursday. "They said they'd refund my money but the time I've lost is mine. They said it was because of baggage problems, but all I have is a carry-on. I'm being penalized for their mistakes," she told The Associated Press.
Other problems included a shortage of parking spots for employees and major delays in the security screening of staff, said Kennedy.
Terminal 5 is Britain's largest enclosed space and is equipped to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.
At the opening two weeks ago, which was attended by the Queen, officials said the new terminal would help solve congestion at Heathrow's other terminals.