12:39pm UK, Wednesday April 02, 2008

British Airways is sending thousands of suitcases to Italy in an attempt to cope with a backlog of 19,000 bags caused by the chaos at Terminal Five.

Thousands of owners still waiting

The airline currently has more than 400 volunteers working to deal with the baggage mountain.

Luggage is being sent to a courier firm in Milan, where it will be sorted and either driven or flown to owners. 

Aviation Minister Jim Fitzpatrick told MPs on Monday that it could take up to a week for bags to be returned to their owners.

But a BA spokeswoman said: "We can't say 100% that it will be a week before all the bags are sorted."

The spokeswoman went on: "The vast majority of passengers will get their bags within the next few days, but there's always going to be the individual for whom it may take longer."

Earlier, BA had said: "Delayed bags must undergo enhanced levels of security screening.

"Much of this process must be done manually rather than using the automated baggage systems.

"Although the majority of delayed bags will be sorted and reflighted at Heathrow, we can reunite larger numbers of bags with their owners more quickly.

"It is quicker for bags with European mainland addresses to go to Milan for sorting and onward transport than waiting for space to appear on flights leaving Heathrow."

It has been standard practice for BA to use the Milan-based courier firm when coping with a backlog.

The same procedure was used last year when baggage problems arose.

British Airways continues to cancel flights from T5, although the airline says fewer will be affected as the week goes on.

The Olympic torch is set to come to Heathrow on Saturday night, but not through T5.

It will be taken through the Royal Suite, a building used by VIPs including the Queen.