British Airways has started to relocate a number of its long-haul flights to Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, a move that, according to the carrier, is proceeding well, but which comes over a month later than originally anticipated.

Initially, BA wanted to transfer the majority of long-haul services in April, but these plans were postponed in light of the chaos that beset Heathrow’s new terminal during its first few days of business.

So far, eight long-haul destinations have now been re-established at T5 and, said a spokesman for the firm, “all is going well.”

Additional routes are now set to be added in September, with the balance following two months later.

Heathrow T5 Opening

Heathrow T5 opened for business in March, but was hit by a catalogue of problems including issues with its new, hi-tech baggage system. The knock-on effects caused flight delays and cancellations.

The Chief Executive of British Airways, Willie Walsh, declined his bonus this year on account of his feelings on how the carrier had performed.

However, added the company spokesman, BA’s situation was now an improved one.

"We have more rostered staff on duty and we will have extra staff on hand who have volunteered," he stated.

"On that first day in March [T5’s opening], we moved 394 flights. Today it's just 15 so it's all on a much smaller scale."

T5 Operating Well: Walsh

Mr Walsh added that Terminal 5 was operating well, and that he had been approached by passengers who had expressed their enjoyment at using the facility.

The eight long-haul destinations now reachable from Heathrow T5 with British Airways are Phoenix, New York, Cairo, Cape Town, Bangalore, Beijing, Abuja and Lagos.

By the time that all BA’s long-haul flights have relocated to T5, over 500 flights a day will be arriving at/ departing the new terminal.

Source – Airport International’s London Reporter

Recent related News Items:

BA Long-Haul Flights -

Remaining BA Flights Move to T5 in June

BA Announces Heathrow T5 Long Haul Flights Delayed

BA, Other -

BA To Impose Higher Fuel Surcharges

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 -

BAA Loss after Airport Security Costs

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 MD Leaving, says BAA

BA Says Sorry for Heathrow Terminal 5 Chaos

'No Insurance' For Lost Baggage at Heathrow Airport T5

BA Announces Heathrow T5 Long Haul Flights Delay

Baggage System 'Working' at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5

Baggage 'Chaos' At Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5

Heathrow Airport, Other -

Air Transport Association Head Criticises Heathrow, BAA

Government Ignored Heathrow Noise Issues: Council

Heathrow Boeing 777 Crash Interim Report Released