Fears grow for summer holidays as fresh chaos hits airports
THOUSANDS of travellers heading through Heathrow were delayed by fresh chaos yesterday when flights were halted by a fault in the airport’s fuelling system.
The latest crisis to hit the UK’s busiest travel hub heightened fears that the summer plans of countless families could be disrupted just as the school holidays start.
Heathrow staff were unable to refuel jets for more than an hour yesterday afternoon, leaving them stuck on the tarmac and frustrated travellers waiting at terminal gates.
The aircraft fuel system was shut down to resolve a technical fault. Jets were able to land and any that had already refuelled could leave. The system was running again at 3pm, but delays lasted until the evening.
Earlier, staffing shortages had caused chaos in the Terminal 3 baggage reclaim area, while there were long queues for passengers trying to get to and from Stansted airport after rail operator Greater Anglia cancelled more than 90 per cent of its services when workers from Aslef walked out over a pay dispute.
Heathrow passenger Adam Kent, 59, said a heap of abandoned suitcases left the Terminal 3 baggage reclaim area ‘looking like a scene from a disaster movie’ after he arrived from Florida.
‘There was lost luggage everywhere... everyone stepping over it and no one doing anything,’ said Mr Kent, from Worcestershire.
‘It looks like a serious health and safety issue. No one visible to explain the carnage or sort out the mess. It seems like lots has just been dumped. The luggage was left unsecured and could be stolen.’ A lack of staff to handle baggage and carry out security checks such as X-rays made the situation worse.
Airports and airlines say delays in new staff being security vetted mean they cannot work, even though they have been fully trained. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has ordered security vetting to be prioritised for airports. His office said it was now being done in five days. But an airport source said last night: ‘It’s too little, too late.’