British Airways experienced problems with its IT server this morning. BA passengers were left struggling to check-in online as “huge queues” formed at Gatwick Airport and delays were caused at Heathrow. Fliers took to social media to share their gripes with the British airline on Twitter. British Airways have called the problem a “minor temporary server issue’ and claim it has now been fixed.
Passengers tweeted their complaints on Twitter. “Huge queues at @Gatwick_Airport South in @British_Airways check-in with systems failure and baggage failures,” one person wrote.
“Really would have thought by now an airport the size of Gatwick could run a decent check-in service. No breakfast for me this morning.”
British Airways responded to the message: “We’re sorry for the delays at London Gatwick today. We are aware and we hope to have this resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any frustration caused.”
Another posted: “Why does the app/website never work 15 hours before departure from Grenada to London. Highly disappointed,” along with a screenshot of the BA site explaining online check-in cannot be completed.
A third Twitter user added: “We are having the same issue with flights for tomorrow and getting the same message when checking in on a PC – what is going on.”
BA replied to the tweet: “We are aware of some issue with our system at the moment. Our I.T teams are working to resolve this as soon as they can.”
The airline also added: “We’re sorry you haven’t been able to check-in. We’d recommend trying again a bit later. “
A passenger at Heathrow tweeted: “@British_Airways driving around Heathrow looking for a stand because your IT system is down stopping push backs. Flight from Lisbon delayed. Now flight to Glasgow delayed. Why continue to supporting @British_Airways? Service, what service!!”
British Airways have now confirmed the temporary IT problem has now been solved.
“Check-in is operating as normal,” a BA spokesman told Express.co.uk. “There was a minor temporary server issue but the system is fully up and running and check-in is functioning as normal.”
The computer problems come as thousands of Britons jet off on their summer holidays, threatening to spark a day of travel chaos.
It also coincides with the latest development in the British Airways pilot strike. British Airways pilots are now able to go on strike over pay after they defeated British Airways’ legal challenge.
The Court of Appeal has rejected British Airways’ attempt to injunct British Airline Pilots’ Association’s (BALPA’s) proposed industrial action on a technicality. The legality of BALPA’s ballot has been affirmed, confirmed a statement from BALPA this morning. Dates for the strike have not yet been confirmed.
BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “The Court of Appeal has today rightly dismissed BA’s attempt to injunct this industrial action on a technicality.
“BA’s attempt to defeat the democratic view of their pilots in court, rather than deal with us across the negotiating table, has sadly wasted huge amounts of time and money that could have been put into finding a peaceful resolution. Now the window for negotiation and compromise is closing fast.”
“BA need to wake up to reality. Our ballot returned 93 per cent in favour of strike action. There is a serious issue here and BA has so far refused to help us tackle it.
“On BA’s own figures submitted to the court, even a single day of strike action will cost far more than we believe it would take to settle this dispute.”
