BA drafts in volunteers to tackle T5 baggage mountain

More than 400 volunteers from across the airline have been trying to relieve a massive luggage backlog at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

British Airways' effort to return 15,000 lost bags to their owners came after the disastrous opening of the £4.3 million new building last Thursday which saw baggage system problems and flights delayed or cancelled over the weekend.

The airline had to use hundreds of volunteer staff as part-time baggage handlers at T5 at the weekend and bring in IT specialists to fix the malfunctioning luggage system.

BA faces the prospect of multi-million pound compensation claims from disrupted passengers and the likely loss of £20 million due to the cancellation of more than 200 flights, according to reports.