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.

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 unveiled

Terminal 5 was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony on Friday. It is scheduled to open to passengers on 27 March 2008 and will be the new home of British Airways. The first to use the new terminal will be a BA flight 26 from Hong Kong, while flight 302 to Paris will be the first flight departure from the Terminal 5.

The £4.3 billion complex features 60 new aircraft stands, 2 satellite buildings, rail links to London Underground and Heathrow Express, a new multi-storey car park and landscaping.

BAA says the new terminal is set to help transform the passenger experience at Heathrow, and relieve the immense pressure on the airport by handling up to 35 million passengers a year.

Watch video from Heathrow Terminal 5:

Gatwick relaxes hand baggage restrictions

London Gatwick Airport has removed the one-bag restriction on hand baggage, effective 11 February 2008. The airport will now allow people to travel with more than one piece of carry-on luggage on flights through the North Terminal, in addition to the South Terminal, subject to individual airline's rules. However this allowance is still limited to connecting flights.

If you are transferring through London Gatwick airport you will be allowed to take two pieces of hand baggage.

If you are travelling from London Gatwick you will be allowed to take one piece of hand baggage.

"This rule will be relaxed in the near future when the ongoing construction project to upgrade and expand the security facilities at the airport is completed," a statement said.

The government's deadline for all UK airports to be ready to relax single bag restrictions is May 31.

UK one-bag rule to be lifted, airport security to be toughened

The British Government confirmed that is to reverse the decision to restrict airline hand luggage to just one item. From January 2008 passengers will be allowed to take more than a single item of carry-on luggage into the cabin. However, current restrictions on carrying liquids through airport security will remain.

Meanwhile, improved security is to be introduced at UK airports, railway stations and ports as part of wider anti-terrorism measures outlined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Security will be stepped up at the busiest hubs, with guidance going out to hotels, restaurants, sports arenas, cinemas and theatres.