BA confirms June move for flights

BA executives have left since T5's chaotic opening

British Airways will begin to move its long-haul flights to Heathrow's Terminal 5 from 5 June, the airline has confirmed.

The first phase will see eight long-haul destinations switched from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 - about a quarter of Terminal 4's schedule.

The move was supposed to begin on 30 April, but severe problems at the new £4.3bn terminal delayed proceedings.

BA boss Willie Walsh insisted T5 was "now working well".

“As we announced on 11 April, we will move our Terminal 4 long-haul programme into Terminal 5 in phases," said Mr Walsh.

He added: "We have taken this decision in the interests of customers, who remain our priority at all times."

Joint decision

The flights that will be transferred include services to and from New York JFK.

The other seven destinations are Abuja, Bangalore, Beijing, Cairo, Cape Town, Lagos and Phoenix.

The decision was made jointly by BA and Heathrow airport operator BAA.

“We continue to work together intensively to complete the migration of the remaining long-haul services as soon as is practicable," said Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive.

Both firms have been heavily criticised for the chaotic opening of T5, which saw many flights cancelled and luggage lost.

Top BA executives have since parted company with the firm, but Mr Walsh has said he has no intention of resigning.

One consequence of the delay in transferring BA's long-haul flights is the knock-on effect to rival carriers such as Air France, which were scheduled to move into Terminal 4 once BA had gone.