BA chief blames construction work for T5 chaos

Incomplete construction work has been blamed for the disastrous debut of Heathrow’s Terminal 5, by British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh.

Mr Walsh told the Transport Select Committee that staff were unable to finish training sessions and were disoriented when the terminal opened, which contributed to a break down in the baggage handling system.

He said the airline was forced to cut corners in training because the building had not been finished by BAA.

He said the opening of the terminal should have been delayed because only 80% of staff had completed familiarisation courses.

More than 500 flights were cancelled and 15,000 bags delayed in the chaos that surrounded the opening of the terminal on March 27.

The list of incomplete building works included 28 lifts not working, problems with air bridge jetties and software glitches in the baggage handling system.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews also told the MPs he was “not aware” of problems at the terminal before its launch, reported the Guardian.