Major UK airports erupt into 'chaos' as passengers fume - with one airline dubbed 'national embarrassment'
Holidaymakers' plans have been thrown into chaos
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Two major UK airports were thrown into disarray this week, with holidaymakers taking to social media to complain about disruption to their plans.
Some travellers flying from Heathrow Airport experienced lost luggage after a technical fault from British Airways.
Earlier this morning, Heathrow Airport wrote on X: "We are supporting British Airways with a technical issue with their Allocation System.
"We advise passengers to check with BA before travelling to the airport. BA passengers in Terminals 5 may be impacted & are advised to contact BA for assistance. No other airline is impacted."
Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport have both been affected by disruption
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One disgruntled customer responded: "Communication was so poor this evening, not great @British_Airways … I don’t have much hope about getting my luggage any time soon.
"I had food in my bag, so the longer it takes to get, the more it will spoil and the more things inside that will get damaged and require replacing."
Another said: "Shorthand for, 'It’s chaos and we’ve lost all your luggage'."
More recently, Heathrow Airport told flyers: "Earlier British Airways experienced a technical issue with their Allocation System, this has now been resolved.
"We advise passengers to check with BA before travelling to the airport as BA passengers in Terminal 5 may still be impacted. No other airline is impacted."
A frustrated flyer said: "British Airways is a national embarrassment."
Angry passengers took to social media complaining about the airline. One wrote on X: "Might be the biggest joke of a @British_Airways experience ever. Flight cancelled, left in various queues in the terminal to be told we're not getting our luggage and there are no hotel rooms available so we just have to wait in departures for eight hours. Cheers BA!"
Another shared their frustration: "That mess at Heathrow airport yesterday is up there with one of the worst experiences I’ve had with a company/organisation. @British_Airways my luggage is now lost, which is needed for my job. So, thanks for that!"
Just hours ago, one holidaymaker wrote: "@British_Airways no update or official apology sent to us. We have no bags still."
A spokesperson from British Airways responded: "Sorry for the delay in responding. We don't underestimate how stressful this must be. We've brought in additional colleagues to support our teams in getting bags back to our customers, so we'll get your belongings to you as quickly as possible."
Another affected passenger said: "@British_Airways Woken up this morning after the sh*t show that was Heathrow yesterday. No update on when or if we will receive our luggage. We have absolutely nothing with us. We’re only here for two more days! What happens then????"
A spokesperson for British Airways apologised for the inconvenience caused and urged the customer to visit the airline's delayed, lost and damaged baggage. Customers can also contact the Customer Relations team.
One passenger replied to a Heathrow X post stating: "Nobody has helped us when we didn't get our baggage yesterday. You are a joke of an airport and I truly hope more people travel from other airports."
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One passenger told X: 'Might be the biggest joke of a @British_Airways experience ever'
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Heathrow Airport advised the passenger to contact British Airways about their luggage.
Chaos also ensued at Manchester Airport following a power cut. On Sunday, the airport posted on X: "Manchester Airport was affected by a major power cut earlier this morning. This has caused widespread disruption and a significant number of flights, particularly from Terminals 1 or 2 today are advised to contact their airlines for up-to-date information before coming to the airport.
"Passengers due to fly from Terminal 3 should come to the airport as normal unless advised otherwise by their airline but could be affected by delays. We apologise for any inconvenience and aim to restore normal service as soon as possible."
Manchester Airport kept holidaymakers updated on the situation. On Monday morning, the airport told flyers: "All our systems are running as normal today, so passengers are advised to prepare to travel as usual from Manchester Airport.
"That means going online to check the status of your flight before you leave and then following your airline's instructions in terms of when to arrive at the airport - usually two hours for short-haul and three hours for long-haul.
"The airport is likely to be slightly busier than usual due to passengers affected by cancellations yesterday but we have extra staff in place and our resilience team is helping out."
Despite this, some passengers were still left unhappy. One said: "What about the suitcases that didn’t arrive with passengers?"
Another seconded this: "'Normal operations' - still worse than anywhere on the planet!"
A third passenger made a scathing claim, calling it "the worst airport not only in the United Kingdom but also in the world".
Another said: "You are a national embarrassment! If the MD doesn't resign it's scandalous! You have created misery for thousands. Your airport is a shambles!"
GB News has contacted Heathrow Airport, British Airways and Manchester Airport for comment
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