Heathrow's new terminal has rough opening
Published: March 27, 2008 at 3:52 PM
LONDON, March 27 (UPI) -- Day one at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 did not impress London travelers who found flights canceled, baggage lost and protesters forming a conga line.
"It is complete chaos in there. I am meant to be getting a connection in Terminal 3, that's gone now," said David Thatcher from Manchester, England, The Telegraph reported Thursday.
Flights left to Brussels, Amsterdam and Edinburgh without luggage and escalators broke down, the report said.
Heathrow's logistics director Shaun Cowlam said he was "cautiously optimistic," that BAA, which runs the terminal, would take care of the problems.
"Most airports open with difficulties. Looking at where we are now -- is it perfect? Not in every respect," he said.
The $8.57 billion terminal is designed to improve Heathrow's reputation.
Passengers ranked Heathrow 103 best out of 162 major terminals in a recent survey.
"It is complete chaos in there. I am meant to be getting a connection in Terminal 3, that's gone now," said David Thatcher from Manchester, England, The Telegraph reported Thursday.
Flights left to Brussels, Amsterdam and Edinburgh without luggage and escalators broke down, the report said.
Heathrow's logistics director Shaun Cowlam said he was "cautiously optimistic," that BAA, which runs the terminal, would take care of the problems.
"Most airports open with difficulties. Looking at where we are now -- is it perfect? Not in every respect," he said.
The $8.57 billion terminal is designed to improve Heathrow's reputation.
Passengers ranked Heathrow 103 best out of 162 major terminals in a recent survey.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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