London - British Airways is now operating a full flight schedule after an IT failure saw the airline cancel thousands of flights over the bank holiday weekend. "Our IT systems are now back up and running and we will be operating a full flight schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick,” the Airline said.

But it warned it "may take some time" to reunite travellers with their bags.

BA chief executive Alex Cruz has blamed a power surge for the disruption, which affected 75,000 people. The airline apologised again for the "frustration and inconvenience" to passengers and said it was continuing to get people reunited with their luggage "as quickly as possible".

The airline also admitted that it was aware some passengers were unable to file a delayed bag report on its website. Thousands of BA passengers worldwide are still without their bags and have been bombarding the airline's lost luggage phone lines, website and social media feeds.

British Airways has also been criticised on social media for directing some passengers towards a premium-rate phone line that costs up to 55p a minute from a mobile device.

In response, the airline says customers can add any phone charges into claims they submit and it will look at them. It also says there are free or local rate alternative phone numbers for passengers who want to contact them.(FA)