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The planned move of
British Airways' long haul services from Terminal Four at Heathrow to Terminal Five
has been deferred until June.
British
Airways said that it is working with BAA to iron out any remaining problems, including the baggage system and its operation, and develop a robust timescale
for phasing the move of Terminal 4 services into Terminal 5.
Willie Walsh, BA's Chief Executive
said, “We are making this decision in the interests of customers. Though Terminal Five is now working
well, we need to have confidence that good service can be maintained when the terminal is handling larger numbers of customers.”
Colin Matthews, BAA's Chief Executive,
added, “BAA regrets this postponement, and we recognize the impact it has on other airlines, but we
believe it is a wise precaution to ensure that passengers can have the maximum confidence once the move does take place.”
“We will be working very closely with BA in the intervening period to ensure that result, as well as working with the other airlines to mitigate
as much as possible the knock-on effects.”
“BAA fully recognizes that the inauguration of Terminal Five has not been as smooth as we and BA would have wished. In the last few days
passengers have seen significant improvement and our goal is to complete that process as soon as possible before continuing the next
phase of transforming the rest of the airport.”
bmi outraged at BAA delay in Heathrow terminal moves
bmi, has hit out at BAA’s decision to delay a series of terminal moves as a consequence of the
debacle that surrounded the opening of Terminal 5 last month.
Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive officer,
said, “It is an absolutely outrageous announcement by BAA and done with no thought,
consideration or consultation of any airline other than BA. The sequence of moves affects over 50 airlines, including bmi, at Heathrow. The
programme and timescale of changes was agreed in joint consultation with all airlines that are now geared up to undertake the moves as
agreed.
“BAA and BA have shown a total disregard for all other airlines and their passengers at Heathrow in coming to this decision because of
their own shortcomings and their inability to implement an agreed plan.
“BA through their mismanagement of the move to Terminal 5 will materially disadvantage all other airlines at Heathrow whilst BAA, through
their perverse regulatory system, will actually benefit financially. The UK is once again a laughing stock.
“This is yet another clear example of BAA treating airlines and passengers with contempt and no consideration whatsoever to a
consultation process that took some considerable time to achieve an acceptable programme of terminal
moves” Mr Turner concluded.
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