Problems with the luggage system left hundreds of travelers waiting for more than three hours during the weekend to pick up their luggage, without any explanation from the staff. It is unclear how many airlines will comply with the request, but thousands of passengers are expected to be affected. Airlines that canceled flights today include Virgin Atlantic, Flybe, Air France, Air Canada, TAP Portugal, Loganair, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Aer Lingus, ITA Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa, KLM and Bulgaria Air. A Heathrow spokesman said: “We unreservedly apologize for the inconvenience to passengers this weekend. “The technical issues affecting our luggage systems led us to the decision to ask the airlines operating in terminals 2 and 3 to consolidate their routes on Monday, June 20. “This will allow us to minimize the ongoing impact and we ask all passengers to contact their airlines for the latest information.” Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 People waiting “hours” for luggage in Heathrow Heathrow, like airports and airlines across the country, is experiencing staff shortages during the busiest season of the year, which has resulted in hundreds of flights being canceled in recent weeks. On Friday, a “huge luggage rug” was spotted outside a Heathrow terminal as staff faced an “ongoing luggage system problem”. Travelers told Sky News that there were huge queues at border checkpoints on landing and large crowds picking up luggage at the weekend. Some passengers were forced to travel without their belongings. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 Luggage chaos at Heathrow EasyJet, meanwhile, announced plans to cut more flights during the busy summer season, apologizing to customers for failing to “deliver the service they expected from us.” Some flights will be canceled to and from Gatwick in response to the airport’s announcement last week that it would introduce flight ceilings in July and August to help it deal with staff shortages. The airline has blamed staff shortages at ground and airport services, as well as delays in air traffic control for increased handling times, delayed flights and cancellations.
