Chief Executive Of BA Was Unaware Of Terminal Five Problems

The chief executive of BAA has been quoted as saying he was unaware of how unprepared Heathrow Terminal Five was when it opened for business.

The terminal building had unfinished paintwork, lifts not working, out of order toilets and staff had security procedures that caused delays. The boss of British Airways Willie Walsh is also due to give evidence at the enquiry. Walsh has already stated that there has been no enquiry into who was to blame for the fiasco that was the opening of Terminal 5.

It has been remarked however that the terminal building is now operating as normal with no significant delays. The comments came as Matthews gave evidence to the Transport Select Committee, with him pledging to put all available resources into handling the backlash due to the problems that beset the terminal when it first opened. When asked about the baggage system and the problems encountered with it, Matthews said that it had been tested twenty times, however these tests had not replicated a real-life situation.

Matthews has come under fire from MP's after they branded his actions as being "complacent" and that he had "made a fool of the country" with the problems at the terminal.

Published by: Jon Vickery