LONDON:  Technical problems with luggage systems at London's Heathrow Airport resulted in the cancellation of 30 flights, affecting as many as 5,000 passengers, media reported.

According to the BBC, the airport instructed airlines to reduce 10% of flights from their itineraries in terminals two and three on Monday. It added that reducing the number of flights will help to "minimise" the impact of the technical problems.

"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience travellers have caused throughout the course of this weekend." British Airways, which flies out of Heathrow's terminals three and five, told the BBC that the airport's request has resulted in a "limited number of cancellations."

Thousands of passengers have been affected by airport disruption and airline cancellations in the UK in recent weeks, prompting concerns about extra travel problems during the summer, as per BBC. Staff shortages were one of the main causes of the disruptions.

Gatwick Airport has announced that due to manpower shortages, it will restrict the number of planes departing during the high summer season.

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