Queues at arrivals in Heathrow in March. Photo: Sven Kili / Twitter
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Long queues, cancellations and luggage problems have plagued Heathrow Airport since the travel sector’s comeback from coronavirus restrictions. Bloomberg
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The airport has struggled to cope with a volume of more than 100,000 departing passengers a day, with bags arriving late, queues snaking through terminals and flights being cancelled at the 11th hour. Reuters
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Travelling through Heathrow has been a dire experience for some of late. AP
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Suitcases uncollected at Heathrow's Terminal 3 baggage reclaim. AFP
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There is a shortage of staff after many people were laid off during the pandemic. AP
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Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting extra staff last November. AP
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Baggage piles up outside Terminal 2 at Heathrow in June. Baggage issues have bedevilled the airport, with a combination of staff shortages and malfunctioning automated baggage handling systems contributing to the mayhem. Reuters
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One traveller shows his disappointment while waiting in a long queue to pass through a security check in June. Getty Images
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Passengers queue to check in at Terminal 5. Bloomberg
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A queue snakes through the airport. Getty Images
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A waiting passenger decides to get some sleep in Terminal 5. Reuters
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Long queues form through a terminal. PA
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A crowded check in area in Terminal 2 in April. Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting months ago. PA
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A dejected looking passenger queues for check-in ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend at Heathrow in April. Reuters
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People queuing to go through security at Heathrow. PA
Queues at arrivals in Heathrow in March. Photo: Sven Kili / Twitter
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Long queues, cancellations and luggage problems have plagued Heathrow Airport since the travel sector’s comeback from coronavirus restrictions. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PYKFDCVSKUBYKLE2LT7ZFRCBYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e126e40fef001b53ee2c562f0bc7bed0ef35712a2258cb11a9d43c1350812b31&width=400&height=225)
The airport has struggled to cope with a volume of more than 100,000 departing passengers a day, with bags arriving late, queues snaking through terminals and flights being cancelled at the 11th hour. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3SDPDPV6RIOV42WHMYQZJZSDD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a3593213695ac99ff271a288b5708990028cb1fc996be55ad61eb604cca9905f&width=400&height=225)
Travelling through Heathrow has been a dire experience for some of late. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O7P52NQLLS2TAKD35FTESENZ3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=72a9d3344aee3458962373feed247bcaef66b97a9675040e6c828a81364eaf9d&width=400&height=225)
Suitcases uncollected at Heathrow's Terminal 3 baggage reclaim. AFP
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There is a shortage of staff after many people were laid off during the pandemic. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JLNXE65XA62KI54AC7QBQSXMPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2f9848e1957d9618471ccd0bd16aee515881b5bed0e6385709eb2fc27816ef8&width=400&height=225)
Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting extra staff last November. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4G4EFJFTCYFRBFIX3V6E4C5OQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4dfc2da176075b42fdf6c87bfded6911dc4e86dc4258276e30fa36a4f8bcc825&width=400&height=225)
Baggage piles up outside Terminal 2 at Heathrow in June. Baggage issues have bedevilled the airport, with a combination of staff shortages and malfunctioning automated baggage handling systems contributing to the mayhem. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BT5FZDIXN2SVHMC272YGGMISSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9384bd1ba5ca956de89559b16c316e1f75bf92d95464809fbc9213b3228f4225&width=400&height=225)
One traveller shows his disappointment while waiting in a long queue to pass through a security check in June. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XOLEEWQMYNZ37YGRPN3LYUYTMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7166b5e0e447bce22e0357baae6bcc3a41a71a9827671e32ed21d5babf82e0f7&width=400&height=225)
Passengers queue to check in at Terminal 5. Bloomberg
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A queue snakes through the airport. Getty Images
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A waiting passenger decides to get some sleep in Terminal 5. Reuters
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Long queues form through a terminal. PA
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A crowded check in area in Terminal 2 in April. Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting months ago. PA
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A dejected looking passenger queues for check-in ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend at Heathrow in April. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F67FA2OLVUEETPQKQ7EHHD36II.jpg?smart=true&auth=15a5d5da234b8fb0433d910f9049358d1f8db1527ee86ab11695fbe7434e1baf&width=400&height=225)
People queuing to go through security at Heathrow. PA
Queues at arrivals in Heathrow in March. Photo: Sven Kili / Twitter
Heathrow reclaims title of Europe's busiest hub airport
About 5.8 million passengers travelled through the London airport in September
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Paul Carey
11 October, 2022
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