Air passengers suffered lengthy delays in Britain after a computer glitch hit British Airways check-ins and protesters from “Black Lives Matter” forced their way on to the runway of London City Airport on Tuesday.
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Delays were experienced at the check-in, baggage drop, and departure areas.
Analysts at RBC said the hold-ups – the second problem with the service this year – could damage the airline’s reputation.
According to British Airways it was checking in customers today at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport in the London area but that “it is taking longer than usual”.
Airlines had had a hard period this summer, with many of them facing technical problems that caused delays and cancellations, according to commentators.
The airline says any issues have now been resolved, but passengers are still encouraged to check-in online rather than at airport desks.
While the glitch in the check-in system affected more than people in the United Kingdom, travelers took to Twitter to complain about long delays in at least San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Rome, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Vancouver, the Bahamas, D.C., Seattle, Zurich, and Mexico City.
Flights at London City were disrupted from at least 8:40am UAE time, when the authorities were alerted to the runway incursions, with local press reports suggesting they may have got to the docklands site by boat.
International Airlines Group owned British Airways, which is the flag carrier and is the largest airline in UK. There have been no apparent cancellation of flights, despite long queues and manual check-in. The airline had to provide hand written slips in place of boarding passes.
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This problem comes after about a month after problem came in Delt that resulted in global computer outage and almost 2,000 flight cancellations. The police said that those arrested would be charged with aggravated trespassing, being unlawfully in a restricted zone and breaching the airport’s bylaws.
