Gregory Robinson
As the aviation sector struggles to cope with the number of passengers using airports this summer, Heathrow Airport has announced a daily cap for departing passengers in a bid to solve the problem.
The airport has recently been a site of chaos in recent months, with customers complaining about the large mountains of uncollected luggage. People were informed that they may not be reunited with their bags for two days.
In what was described as a 'technical issue' with the bagging system, a number of passengers arrived at Terminal 2 to discover piles of suitcases lining the floor.
British Airways workers at the airport had also threatened to go on strike during the busy summer holidays period due to a pay cut imposed during the pandemic, though per the BBC this was narrowly avoided after a 'vastly improved' pay offer.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Over the past few weeks, as departing passenger numbers have regularly exceeded 100,000 a day, we have started to see periods when service drops to a level that is not acceptable: long queue times, delays for passengers requiring assistance, bags not travelling with passengers or arriving late, low punctuality and last-minute cancellations.
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“This is due to a combination of reduced arrivals punctuality (as a result of delays at other airports and in European airspace) and increased passenger numbers starting to exceed the combined capacity of airlines, airline ground handlers and the airport.
“Our colleagues are going above and beyond to get as many passengers away as possible, but we cannot put them at risk for their own safety and wellbeing.”
The daily cap has been set at 100,000 people per day until 11 September.
The news comes as UK airports have buckled under the pressure of Covid-related staff shortages, with delayed flights, massive queues and lost luggage causing chaotic scenes during as Brits set to go on holiday during the summer months.
A baggage handler told LADbible that it could take UK airports at least two years to recover from the current chaos.
The baggage handler, who works at East Midlands Airport, said: ""The day-to-day operation at the airport is, pretty much, hectic to be honest.
"Like you will constantly be on your feet, it gets tiring mentality and physically. It’s harder to think when you have been running around trying to get these flights out on time as well.
"Keeping the customers in and out through the airport is the best option for now."