Key facts
- Birmingham Airport experienced a major baggage handling fault affecting outgoing flights since Friday.
- Hundreds of passengers were left without their luggage.
- The airport has stated that the vast majority of luggage is now travelling with passengers.
- The airport is working with airlines and third parties to reunite remaining luggage with passengers.
Birmingham Airport has resolved a significant baggage handling fault that caused hundreds of passengers to be left without their luggage on outgoing flights since Friday. The airport announced that the vast majority of bags are now travelling with passengers and that they are working with airlines and third parties to reunite any remaining luggage with its owners.
Passengers described the situation as "absolute chaos," with some flights departing without any luggage loaded. Alistair Rowland, former chair of travel association ABTA, noted that while missing bags are common, the failure to load any bags was "very significant" and rare. He also highlighted the airport's communication with tour operators, allowing passengers the option to disembark if they were aware their luggage would not travel.
Passengers affected by the fault were advised that airlines or tour operators are responsible for missing baggage. They are encouraged to fill out a missing luggage form upon arrival. Rowland explained that passengers can claim for reasonable expenses incurred due to missing luggage, such as essential clothing and toiletries, with reimbursement expected within 28 days. If luggage is considered lost after 21 days, a maximum claim value of approximately £1,300 applies, with higher value items potentially covered by travel insurance.
Passengers like Clive Stokes, Simon Leyland, and Hayley Chapman shared their experiences of being left without their belongings and struggling to obtain information. Stokes noted that staff seemed aware of the impending luggage issues before passengers boarded. Leyland described a confusing situation where the airline, cruiseline, and airport each appeared to deflect responsibility. Chapman mentioned having to spend around £200 on essential items and toiletries due to her family's luggage not arriving in Turkey.
Rowland suggested that behind the scenes, planes may have been dispatched to transport the delayed bags, as such a widespread issue would likely be treated with high priority. He also commented that while he generally finds Birmingham Airport to be good, "when things go wrong, they do tend to go spectacularly wrong." The baggage problems were reportedly compounded by flights being diverted from Bristol Airport due to runway issues.