Substantial flight delays are expected this summer in the wake of increased security measures at all UK airports.
Stricter security measures, implemented following the June 30 terrorist incident at Glasgow Airport, have led to hundreds of flight delays in the past week.
The disruptions were exacerbated by country-wide bomb scares and a false alert at Heathrow, which resulted in the delay of more than 150 flights.
A British Airways spokesman told Travel Weekly the carrier was trying to get things back on track this week and return 20,000 misplaced bags.
BA confirmed reports that it had received special dispensation from the Department of Transport to load bags onto aircraft without matching the luggage to passengers, normally a security requirement under measures adopted following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
“This happens all the time,” said a BA spokesman. “It is one way for us to work through the backlog of bags”.
The spokesman also confirmed that passengers could expect delays this summer, noting that Heathrow in particular is operating at full capacity.
“Terminal 4 is in need of new infrastructure and we are at full capacity so there will inevitably be some delays, but this should improve once Terminal 5 opens next year.”
The news follows the UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly’s decision last week to hold a security summit with major airlines, airports and government officials.
A spokesman for BAA, which is responsible for security at seven UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, told Travel Weekly the best advice is to make sure travellers are aware of the security rules.
Passengers should be prepared to remove their jackets and shoes, he added. “This is the time of year that we get a lot of people who only travel once per year and so are not familiar with security procedures,” he said.
Travellers should also expect to undergo additional security inspection procedures.
BAA is further advising passengers that the forecourts at all BAA member airports, except Edinburgh, remain closed and are only accessible by taxi or public transport.
It is also advising travellers to avoid arriving at the airport too early. “Getting there too early only adds to queues,” said a spokesman.