Heathrow Airport was branded the worst airport in Europe today by a senior executive of a US airline.

Don Langford, European head of customer services for American Airlines, delivered an outspoken attack on the west London airport, saying it was a “bit of a dump” that suffered from a lack of investment.

His comments came as BAA, Heathrow’s operator, attempts to rebuild its reputation after chaos following the opening of the £4.3 billion Terminal 5 saw tens of thousands of bags lost and hundreds of flights cancelled.

Mr Langford said that Heathrow was the worst of all European destinations his company flies to.

“Heathrow is not just bursting at the seams. I think the seams have burst," he said.

“If you look at the fabric of the building, if you look at where customers check in - missing light bulbs, duct tape on the floor.

“I would have to say that Heathrow is in many ways the worst of all the airports that my company flies to in Europe.”

BAA defended its record at Heathrow, saying that things were improving and that it planned to invest £4bn over five years to improve the airport.

Tom Kelly, the operator’s corporate affairs director, told the BBC: “This is an airport which was designed for something like 45 million passengers - we have now got 65 million.

“We are investing £4bn over the next five years.....you’ve got to realise that if you are going to invest that kind of money it takes time to put things right.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• The bright side of this winter rain
• Story behind the picture: Snow Leopard, 2008
• Times Charity Appeal: The Place2Be