Birmingham Airport 'irreplaceable' luggage missing

Sharon Lees, 67, from Bromsgrove, still has not received her missing suitcase after reporting it missing ten days ago, on Saturday, August 8.

The luggage included a school uniform for her five-year-old grandson, jewellery, money, gifts, and other "irreplaceable" belongings.

The bag itself held special meaning, as it belonged to a friend who died of cancer last year.

Ms Lees only gets to visit her grandson twice a year and had especially brought over his new school uniform, which remains missing. (Image: Jackie Longstaff)

Ms Lees' sister, Jackie Longstaff, said: "It was the day of all the chaos at the airport, and you could see there was a lot going on.

"It was very early in the morning and luggage was piling up everywhere.

"I have never seen Birmingham Airport like that."

The sisters were flying from Birmingham to Washington DC, via a connection in Dublin with Aer Lingus on Saturday, August 8.

They were travelling to visit family, including Ms Lees' son and grandson, whom they see only twice a year.

When they arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, they were told the suitcase had not arrived and was officially missing.

Ms Longstaff said: "We've done everything; we've logged the contents of the suitcase, from what colour the t-shorts wee, to what size the uniform was.

"We've done everything we could; we've filed everything that Aer Lingus has asked for."

With Ms Lees still in the US without any of her belongings, Ms Longstaff had to lend her some clothes during the trip—despite being a size 6 while Ms Lees is a size 3.

The pair said replacing clothes and accessories in America was too expensive.

They flew from Birmingham to Dulles Washington DC airport in August to visit family. (Image: Jackie Longstaff)

Jackie Longstaff, who lives in Sheldon, Birmingham, has since returned to the UK and now plans to visit the airport to speak to Aer Lingus directly and demand answers.

The suitcase has now been missing for 10 days.

A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: "We sincerely apologise for the disruption caused by the recent baggage issue.

"Passengers that are impacted need to contact their airline who track the luggage once it is checked in.

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"The issue last week has been resolved, and baggage is now operating as normal, but we accept that is no consolation for those impacted and we apologise."

Birmingham Airport’s baggage disruption began on Friday, August 7, after a technical fault in the outbound baggage-handling and screening system.

The fault affected departing passengers’ hold luggage, causing many bags to be separated from their owners.

Although flights continued to operate, passengers were forced to travel without their checked baggage, and recovery efforts have been ongoing.

The disruption was blamed on a malfunction in the automated system used to screen and sort outbound luggage.

We have contacted Air Lingus for a statement.