Gatwick flies bags to owners after power cut

HOLIDAYMAKERS from West Sussex were forced to take-off from Gatwick Airport without their luggage after a power cut early Saturday morning (March 10).

But the airport claim owners will receive their bags today ‘at the very latest’ (Monday March 12).

The North terminal baggage handling system was affected by the cut at around 3.30am, causing some flights to leave without passenger’s bags.

Around 2,500 suitcases were left behind.

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Extra staff were called in to move bags manually before engineers got the luggage carousels working again at 10.30am.

A spokeswoman for the West Sussex airport said a fault in an electricity substation had caused a series of power cuts but electricity was restored quickly.

Gatwick Airport tweeted amidst the chaos to apologise for the disruption - which delayed twelve flights for two hours and one for three hours.

@Gatwick_Airport said: “Sorry we’re not at our best today. We’ve got extra staff in to try and help minimise disruption due to earlier power outage.”

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In another tweet the airport advised disgruntled passengers who had just landed abroad how to get track their luggage: “check with your airline. They will be able to tell you when to expect your bags.”

In a statement issued on yesterday (Sunday March 11) the airport said: “We have been working round the clock with our airlines and their handling agents to ensure bags were put on flights yesterday or this morning to reach their owners by tonight, or tomorrow at the very latest.

“For passengers waiting for their bags, we would advise they contact their airline direct for an update.”

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