Stansted Airport: Huge queues and flights missed amid baggage system 'chaos'

17 October 2021, 23:07 | Updated: 17 October 2021, 23:26

People have missed their flights because of the issues at Stansted.
People have missed their flights because of the issues at Stansted. Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

Passengers at Stansted Airport faced long queues and temporary luggage losses after a technical issue on Sunday.

Airport bosses have apologised for the delays, which were caused by issues with the hold baggage system at the airport in Essex.

They are asking people to arrive at least three hours before their flight due to the knock-on effect.

The fault affected the airport's hold baggage system, meaning that luggage had to be manually processed.

Queues spread across the airport as passengers tried to access their belongings or find members of staff to assist them.

People flocked to social media to request help from the airport, with one person describing it as "chaos" and complaining there were no staff around to help.

One couple told reporters they were "turned away" after their gate closed.

Read more: Major IT failure causes huge queues at UK airports as e-gates stop working

Read more: China fires hypersonic missile around globe before striking target

They had arrived at the airport at 4.30am and described the scenes as "chaos", explaining how queues snaked around the building.

Stansted Airport has since apologised for the incident, but has also requested that customers still arrive at least three hours before their flight due to the knock-on effect.

A spokesperson for Stansted airport said: "London Stansted apologises for any inconvenience caused to passengers this morning due to a technical issue affecting the airport's hold baggage system.

"Contingency measures were immediately put in place with our airlines to mitigate disruption and manually process baggage while engineers worked to fix the issue.

"The system is now operating as normal but passengers are still asked to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departs in accordance with their airline's latest advice."

In May, Stansted airport completed its biggest baggage network upgrade since the terminals launch in 1991, costing £70 million.

The work took four years and involved replacing the previous system of conveyor belts and chutes with 2.4km of track and 180 automated carts.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'the people we want to bring back to the Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'

The teen was left to die by the side of road.

Six teenagers arrested after 13-year-old girl left with life-threatening injuries in East Yorkshire stabbing

Israel claims to have killed a high-ranking member of Hamas

Israel 'eliminates' one of Hamas' last high-ranking officials