Chief in charge of T5 opening quits post

The man in charge of the opening of BAA’s £4.5bn T5 building has quit his job.

Mark Bullock, Heathrow Airport’s managing director, has “chosen to leave” the position he has held since 2004 following the disasterous opening of the building on 27 March, which resulted in flights being cancelled and luggage being lost.

Bullock is quoted in the Daily Mirror as saying: “The time is clearly right to move on and take on new challenges.”

He will be replaced by Mike Brown, chief operating officer at London Underground.

Last week at a Transport Select Committee hearing British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh blamed incomplete construction work for the disastrous debut of T5.

Walsh told MPs 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.