Flights are returning to normal - but baggage is still a problem

There is still likely to be some disruption.

And on Friday, BA said that some 20,000 bags had been lost in the past week, but three quarters of those had now been returned to passengers.

Earlier this week on Breakfast:

We looked at what you can do to prevent your bags going astray.

watch our interview again with Alice Beer

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Lost baggage: what can you do?

The British Airports Authority - BAA - says that individual airlines are responsible for the management and security of baggage.

So, if your luggage does go missing, it's absolutely vital to report it straight away to the lost baggage desk at the airport.

You'll need to fill in a form - but your bags may not be officially declared lost for three weeks.

British Airways says it asks customers for the make, model and colour of their bags - and the receipt they were given at check-in.

It then gives each customer a ten digit reference number, so they can check on the progress of their search either by phone or online.

If a bag still hasn't turned up after 21 days, it's officially declared lost. And you then have a further week to make a claim.

A more complicated question can be who pays for lost valuables?

The airlines say their liability is limited by the Montreal Convention - to around �800 compensation per person.

British Airways advises customers to claim on their own travel insurance. But many people may find that that their policies do not cover valuables put into baggage stowed in the hold.

And British Airways' website also says it won't accept liability for valuables such as computers and jewellery which go into the hold - which could leave customers in a black hole.

Alice Beer's tips

You can never completely guarantee that your luggage won't go missing, says Alice, but there are some extra things you can do to help keep it safe:

Don't panic: your bags may well turn up, says Alice

Hand baggage: what can you take?

This must be no bigger than 45cm long, 35cm wide and of 16cm deep (17.7"�13.7"�6.2" approx) including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.

You can take a bag like this on the plane

Other bags, such as handbags can't be carried separately. They must go into the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be screened by X-ray.

• Prescription medicines in liquid form which you need for the flight (eg diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic.
• Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

This includes gels, pastes, lotions and cans - for instance toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols

The Department for Transport say they will work closely with operators to introduce these new arrangements, seeking to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum. They say they will keep these measures under review.

If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact the airport or their airline.

Airport operator BAA has asked passengers not to bring hand baggage until the latest changes have been phased in at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Delays and cancellations are still affecting flights, especially from the airports around London. If you're due to travel today, check with your airline or with the airport itself.

Please note that the airports are saying that hand luggage won't be allowed until at least this afternoon.