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LONDON, England (CNN) -- The long-awaited opening of a multi-billion dollar new terminal at London's Heathrow airport suffered a major setback Thursday when a high-tech baggage handling system malfunctioned, causing major delays amid flight cancellations.
Protesters opposed to airport expansion make their views known in the new terminal.
CNN's Richard Quest said passengers with baggage were no longer being checked in as the airport's Terminal 5 should have been entering one of the busiest periods of the day.
"The news is simply grim at Terminal 5. I understand that the entire baggage system has failed and they've stopped checking in passengers with baggage," Quest said.
"It couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Heathrow's new terminal, which cost $8.6 billion and was two decades in the making, boasts sophisticated luggage system designed to handle 12,000 bags an hour.
British Airways, the only airline using the terminal, confirmed that passengers could now only check in with hand luggage.
BA director of operations Gareth Kirkwood said: "We sincerely apologize to those customers who have suffered disrupted journeys or baggage delays. We always knew the first day would represent a unique challenge."
Airport operator BAA and British Airways are banking on the luggage system to improve a reputation for chaotic handling that has helped the airport earn the nickname "Hassle Heathrow."
Initial glitches in the baggage handling led to the cancellation of at least 34 flights on Thursday. BA earlier admitted some "teething problems" had caused incoming or outgoing flights to be canceled and some flights and services to be delayed on Thursday.
"It's almost open," Jeff Bryan joked after he and his wife spent 90 minutes waiting for their luggage after an overnight British Airways flight from Miami to Heathrow. "We didn't mind because we're not in a rush, but a lot of people were," he told The Associated Press.
Adding to the opening day woes were protest by campaigners opposed to the airport's expansion.
Protesters opposed to airport expansion make their views known in the new terminal.
CNN's Richard Quest said passengers with baggage were no longer being checked in as the airport's Terminal 5 should have been entering one of the busiest periods of the day.
"The news is simply grim at Terminal 5. I understand that the entire baggage system has failed and they've stopped checking in passengers with baggage," Quest said.
"It couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Heathrow's new terminal, which cost $8.6 billion and was two decades in the making, boasts sophisticated luggage system designed to handle 12,000 bags an hour.
British Airways, the only airline using the terminal, confirmed that passengers could now only check in with hand luggage.
BA director of operations Gareth Kirkwood said: "We sincerely apologize to those customers who have suffered disrupted journeys or baggage delays. We always knew the first day would represent a unique challenge."
Airport operator BAA and British Airways are banking on the luggage system to improve a reputation for chaotic handling that has helped the airport earn the nickname "Hassle Heathrow."
Initial glitches in the baggage handling led to the cancellation of at least 34 flights on Thursday. BA earlier admitted some "teething problems" had caused incoming or outgoing flights to be canceled and some flights and services to be delayed on Thursday.
"It's almost open," Jeff Bryan joked after he and his wife spent 90 minutes waiting for their luggage after an overnight British Airways flight from Miami to Heathrow. "We didn't mind because we're not in a rush, but a lot of people were," he told The Associated Press.
Adding to the opening day woes were protest by campaigners opposed to the airport's expansion.
