SAA complains about British airport delays
South African Airways (SAA) lodged a complaint with the British Airports Authority (BAA) in London on Thursday about baggage delays and pilfering at Heathrow airport, the company said.
“SAA is deeply concerned about the current baggage problems being experienced out of London’s Heathrow airport following the recent security increases,” said spokeswoman Jacqui O’Sullivan.
According to SAA’s information, passengers were forced to place their valuable items in hold luggage due to a ban on hand luggage on all flights departing from the UK.
“Over that period, SAA noted a marked increase in the number of bags being delayed out of London and the number of bags arriving in a pilfered state.”
“We know we are not the only airline to have been affected but we feel the BAA must be responsible to protect delayed baggage in the wake of the hand luggage ban,” said Bert Meintjes, SAA aviation security head.