Air passengers face more disruption

13 April 2012

Thousands of air passengers are expected to face another day of disruption.

Chaos ensued on Thursday at airports across the country following the introduction of new anti-terror measures as the authorities reported that a major terrorist plot to blow up US-bound aircraft had been thwarted.

Some operators were insisting that flights schedules would return to normal on Friday, but some flights have been cancelled and lengthy delays are expected.

Yvonne Kraska, a customer service agent for Lufthansa based at its call centre in Melbourne, Australia, said of UK flights: "Our flights are trying to leave on schedule or as close to the schedule as possible. We tell our passengers to arrive early and not to bring any liquid items with them."

On a statement on its website, British Airways said it expected to operate the "vast majority" of its flights, but advised customers to check ba.com for the latest flight information before leaving home and to allow plenty of time for their journey.

The statement said: "The airline anticipates that it will operate all long-haul flights from London Gatwick and all long-haul flights from London Heathrow with the exception of some flights to the US.

"The entire short-haul flying programme from London Gatwick is expected to operate as normal with the exception of all nine domestic flights due to depart before midday which have been cancelled. Around 60% of short-haul and domestic services to and from London Heathrow are expected to operate."

It added: "All short-haul and domestic services operated by regional subsidiary BA Connect to and from UK regional airports (not Heathrow and Gatwick) should operate as normal, albeit with some delays."

But the statement added that "operational disruption is expected to continue".

It said that the airline had decided that no hand baggage would be allowed in the cabin on inbound British Airways' flights to the UK from the USA to speed up the departure process from the USA.

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