Heathrow's Terminal 4 was yesterday hit by a software glitch which affected its baggage-handling capacity, the knock-on effect of which means that some passengers travelling have been told to leave any hold baggage at home.

BAA's website currently offers: "The Teminal 4 baggage system is temporarily experiencing a reduction in capacity caused by a software problem. While every effort is being made to rectify the problem, you may experience some delays when departing today.

"If you are travelling through Terminal 4 today, please check with your airline before leaving for the airport and consider minimising the amount of hold luggage you check in for your journey."

Specifically, British Airways says:

The following passengers flying from London Heathrow Terminal 4 on Wednesday 20 February should not bring luggage to be checked in.

Longhaul passengers in the following cabins
· World Traveller (economy)
· World Traveller Plus (premier economy)
As well as all transfer passengers

Passengers who do bring baggage to be checked in will not be able to travel.

BAA told the BBC it had technicians working all night to fix the unspecified problem and was "hoping that everything will be sorted out soon".

BA, meanwhile, assured that "passengers due to fly from T4 are eligible for a refund, can re-book to a different destination or travel on a later date". ®

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