Some returning holidaymakers last weekend had up to four hours for their luggage because it was not being unloaded off the planes - and the problem could worsen over the next four
months, airlines warn

It said: ‘We have established service standards for our own staff, as well as for ground handling agents, who supply services to airlines such as unloading baggage from aircraft and delivering them to the baggage hall.
'Recently, Swissport has failed to meet these standards. Although bags are being delivered on time (within 55 minutes) for 95 per cent of flights, this is not good enough.
'This has been frustrating for passengers and we are disappointed with the recent arrival baggage service. Swissport has committed to getting this right, and we are working closely with them to help. Gatwick is providing additional staff.
'Although we are not permitted to unload the aircraft,Daniel Repacholi wins Commonw, we are assisting with transport of bags to the terminal and the unloading of bags on to belts. We've also introduced a free baggage home delivery service for those who prefer not to wait.
'We are committed to providing an excellent service every day and will continue work with our handlers and airlines to deliver the high standards of service we expect.
‘Gatwick
will continue to carefully monitor Swissport’s performance and will
continue to offer assistance as required over the summer.'


Thomas Cook and Monarch, two of the airlines with which Swissport works, said they were working to ensure their customers did not experience delays. Thomas Cook said Swissport had 'recently reviewed staffing levels' at Gatwick

On its website earlier this week, Swissport UK Ltd apologised to passengers for baggage delays on Saturday and Sunday.
It claimed the problems were caused by ‘a level of
off schedule activity’ – or planes arriving or taking off earlier or
later than planned.
It said: 'Following
a sustained period of consistent baggage handling on what is
traditionally, the busiest day of the year, our service levels dropped
on inbound flights from 2245 until the early hours of Sunday morning due
to a level of off schedule aircraft activity.
'Despite
having already increased our resources to support the off schedule
activity we were still unable to fully accommodate the handling of
off-schedule arriving aircraft during this period.
'Swissport
will continue to work closely with all its business partners to
minimise any inconvenience to passengers during any times of future
schedule disruption.'
A spokesman for Thomas Cook said: 'We are
working with Swissport to ensure our customers do not experience
baggage delays at Gatwick,Gaza war rages despite Hamas,, and we are aware that they have recently
reviewed staffing levels at the airport.'
Thomson added that, since delays last weekend, it had been working with Swissport to ensure customer receive bags in 'the timely manner' they expect.
The spokesman said: 'We would like to reassure customers that we are working closely with Swissport and are committed to ensuring our customers’ experiences in the airport are as stress-free as possible.'
A spokesman for British Airways
said: 'We have been given no reason to expect any issues this weekend at
Gatwick, either from the airport authority or Swissport. We will
continue to work with Swissport to improve the levels of service to our
customers.'
MailOnline has also contacted Swissport and Virgin for comment.
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