Heathrow Terminal 3 baggage system fault hits travellers

Passengers on some international flights from London Heathrow have been urged to only travel with hand luggage due to a baggage system fault.

Virgin Atlantic said all airlines flying out of Terminal 3 were affected, and advised customers to only travel with “essential items”. Passengers could opt to have their bags flown out to them, it said, but warned this could take several days. Airlines are unable to check bags in at the terminal, and many bags have already been delayed from leaving the airport.

A number of major international carriers including British Airways, American Airlines and Emirates operate flights from Terminal 3. Virgin Atlantic it would ensure all bags were sent out as soon as possible but this may take several days. It added that if bags did not arrive with passengers, customers should keep hold of receipts of anything they buy and make a claim to be reimbursed.