Says operational problems are beign solved

British Airways and BAA, the operator of London’s Heathrow Airport, said they have decided to delay the planned transfer of BA long-haul flights from Terminal 4 to the new Terminal 5. A few long-haul flights are already departing from T5, and most intercontinental flights were due to make the move on April 30, but that change “will now begin in June,” BA said. The airline said there has been a “steady improvement” of operations at the troubled T5 since it opened several weeks ago, plagued by flight delays, cancellations and lost luggage. “We will be working with BAA to iron out any remaining problems, including the baggage system, and develop a robust timescale for phasing the move of Terminal 4 services into Terminal 5,” BA said. For more details on the affected flights, go to www.britishairways.com/travel/terminalmoves. Meanwhile, BA also announced some schedule changes for this fall: Although major U.S. carriers have been shifting their flights away from London Gatwick into London Heathrow this spring, BA said it plans to launch new service on October 27 between New York and London Gatwick, supplementing its heavy New York-Heathrow schedule. BA also said it will discontinue service on October 26 between New York JFK and Manchester.