Heathrow chaos dents British national pride

LONDON: Britain's aviation minister called the continuing flight cancellations and baggage problems at Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 5 a blow to national pride.

Jim Fitzpatrick told lawmakers on Monday it could be a week before a backlog of suitcases and bags are returned to their owners following glitches with the London terminal's hi-tech baggage-handling system.

British Airways canceled 54 more short-haul flights at the terminal on Monday as a result of the problem.