Hundreds of British Airways flights cancelled or delayed after IT glitch

British Airways travellers are facing cancellations and delays after an IT glitch crashed online check-ins.

The airline cancelled 117 flights to or from Heathrow, as well as 10 at Gatwick, affecting more than 15,000 passengers.

More than 300 other flights have also been delayed, with some more than five hours behind schedule.

The airline said late on Wednesday afternoon that the problem had been fixed.

It apologised for the disruption as images on social media showed long queues at airports and error messages on its app.

“We apologise to all our customers caught up in the disruption, and appreciate how frustrating their experience has been,” said a BA statement.

“Our teams have been working tirelessly to get the vast majority of customers on their way, with most of our flights departing.

“Our flights are returning to normal, however there may be some knock-on operational disruption as a result of the issue earlier.”

BA said customers should check its website for the latest information before going to the airport.

Ticketholders travelling to the UK from elsewhere – including from the US, Japan and Vietnam – also vented their frustration, suggesting a knock-on effect with planes and crews out of position.

The airline said it was offering customers booked on short-haul flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City the opportunity to rebook for another day.

The airline could face a compensation bill in excess of £5m if all those affected claim what they are entitled to under European Union rules.

Holidaymakers arriving at Terminal 5 at Heathrow were greeted by message boards telling them “short-haul check-in is closed” and urging them to make their way back home.

Ysanne Bonner tweeted that she had “spent weeks preparing an anxious teen for our holiday to Naples”, only to learn two hours before leaving that their flight had been cancelled.

“No idea if we will get our long planned & saved for and much needed week away. Devastated but trying to remain hopeful,” she wrote.

Others like Joanna Lewis said they had spent hundreds of pounds on new flights with another airline. “Nice end to the holiday,” she tweeted.

Some already abroad and facing delays or cancellations to their flights home saw the positive in being forced to extend their summer holiday.

“At least if the flight’s cancelled, then we’ll be stuck in sunny Spain,” tweeted Becky Crane.

Many passengers complained of little or no information, while others who had better experiences commended staff for “managing the chaos”.

Sarah Daman, from north London, was due to be on her first holiday in 14 years.

She was on a train on the London Underground when she received a text message saying her 1.15pm flight to Athens had been cancelled.

When she arrived at Terminal 5 at Heathrow she said she was directed to an area where she was told she would receive help, but found the desks shut and no one around to help.

“No one here can help, phone and website not working PLEASE tell me what I can do to stop this much anticipated summer holiday being ruined,” she tweeted.

“It is just so horribly depressingly awful,” she told Sky News.

“Once we got here they advised us that nobody at the airport could help us and that we had to go on the phone or online to try and rebook our flights. But that proved incredibly difficult obviously because everyone was doing that.

“Eventually we were offered flights on Friday afternoon, which as it is only a short holiday, it really was not acceptable.

“We are trying to rebook with a different airline which might mean eight hours at Munich Airport but at least that would get us there tomorrow,” she added.

There was misery too for rail commuters due to a fire near the tracks between London Victoria and Clapham Junction on Wednesday morning, affecting all Southern and Gatwick Express services.

Southern Rail said all lines were blocked between the two stations and that services would be affected throughout the day until the evening rush-hour.

A statement on its website said:: “All lines have now reopened following a fire next to the track between London Victoria and Clapham Junction this morning. Trains between these stations may still be cancelled or delayed.

“This is expected to continue until 5pm.”

It said where possible, services would be diverted to London Bridge, and warned customers to expect delays of up to an hour – and that some services may be altered and stop short of their original destination.

Travellers were advised to use Thameslink or other Southern services where available.

Tickets can be used for alternative transport on London buses, some Thameslink services and the London Underground.

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(c) Sky News 2019: Hundreds of British Airways flights cancelled or delayed after IT glitch