BA working through baggage backlog

British Airways (BA) is working through a backlog of an estimated 10,000 bags that have been misplaced at UK airports.

Reports initially said that as many as 5,000 bags had been lost since Thursday's terror alert, but this has been refuted by BA who stated the baggage was being processed where possible.

The airline has been ferrying baggage back to its owners through haulage to destinations such as Manchester, Newcastle and Frankfurt.

A spokesperson for BA issued a statement saying: "The problem is that Heathrow has become so congested that it is essential that aircraft are kept moving.

"Our priority is to get aeroplanes flying with passengers on rather than taking bags."

BA and the British Airports Authority (BAA) have been blaming each other for various administrative issues that have arisen since Thursday's terror alert.

It is reported that BA has accused BAA of not being prepared for such an eventuality and that the company should have hired temporary staff to cope with the congestion.

BA, along with Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, is calling for compensation to be paid for the lost revenue airlines have incurred.

Around 700 flights have been cancelled from Heathrow by BA since Thursday and the airline was only expected to run at 90 per cent capacity over the next 24 hours.

Baggage will be put onto BA cargo planes wherever possible in an attempt to clear the build up of misplaced baggage.

Security measures are under constant review. However, it appears the ban on liquids will be long-term as will restrictions on flights to the US.