Heathrow T5 suffers "teething problems"

Passengers using Heathrow Airport's giant new Terminal 5 were left stranded for hours during its opening day yesterday amid tight security and lost luggage.

The £4.3 billion terminal suffered teething problems with its state-of-the-art baggage handling system as well as with car parking, staff security screening and general stumbling over the unfamiliar layout.

A Reuters witness was left sitting on a plane for two hours while crew searched for passengers' luggage.

"At one point the luggage was returned to the terminal because the system said our flight had already departed," he said.

British Airways, which now has its home at T5, said it had suffered "a few minor problems" during the first day of operation.

"This is not unexpected following one of the most complex and largest airport moves in history," it said in a statement.

"These teething problems have included car parking provision, delays in staff security screening and staff familiarisation with the terminal. We have also had some baggage performance issues.

"These issues are being resolved and we are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused."

Airport operator BAA was not immediately available for comment.

Tight security had been put in place in expectation of demonstrations by green protesters who are against the expansion of the world's busiest international air gateway.

In the event, about 200 eco-demonstrators appeared in the main entrance, wearing red and white T-shirts. They said they had no intention of disrupting flights.

Authorities had been on heightened alert after a series of embarrassing security breaches at Heathrow.

On the eve of Queen Elizabeth formally opening the terminal earlier this month, a man ran onto a runway, while in February, protesters broke into the airport and wrapped a banner around a plane.