Covid-related staff shortages are today bringing Britain to a grinding halt, causing huge disruption for airline passengers.
Passengers say they were told to go home and leave luggage at Heathrow Airport due to baggage delays.
Staffing shortages at British Airways – blamed on Covid and self-isolation rules – have today caused pre-Christmas travel ‘chaos’ at Heathrow Airport.
The shortages, combined with weather-enforced delays, have resulted in cancelled flights, queues at the border and a sea of stranded luggage strewn across baggage reclaim.
@British_Airways flown from Newcastle to Heathrow today. BA have lost our luggage. We are flying to NYC tomorrow. What do we do @British_Airways This is the state of baggage claims at Heathrow airport. All luggage left unattended and told by staff to take what is ours. Disgrace pic.twitter.com/jUYZUBqGhP
— Amy Scott (@ayscott11) December 19, 2021
This morning, wheelchair passengers were waiting more than an hour, after regular passengers have disembarked. Missing their connection and in some cases left alone with just the cleaners.
Some crew who flew over night, ending their duty after an 8-9 hour flight (11 hours duty day) and had to wait over an hour for their suitcases to arrive.
Massive delays across Terminal 5
• Baggage containers have been left unattended on stand from last night
• Most flights are late or cancelled because crew are testing positive
• Bags are being missed because not enough staff available on site#britishairways #aviation pic.twitter.com/wYFt64jvqw
— M Zulqarnain B (@MZulqarnainBut1) December 21, 2021
Some baggage containers have been left unattended on stand from last night and most flights are late or cancelled because crew are testing positive.