LUGGAGE chaos at Teesside International Airport has been caused by problems with a new handling system in Holland.

Some passengers have had to wait several days for their luggage to arrive after a mix-up in Amsterdam.

A spokesman for Teesside Airport said: "The problem is a system installed by Schipol Airport.

"A new system has been installed in the Amsterdam airport which processes luggage on a bar reader system.

"What happens from time to time is that some of the luggage has not been directed to the right luggage trolley in the baggage yard to go out of the airport.

"Some luggage has been missing for several days."

Families have been left angry and frustrated by the baggage handling situation.

The problem is not unique to Teesside, but has been repeated in every airport which has connections to Amsterdam.

The spokesman said: "It's not something that's peculiar to Teesside and it's not particular to the UK, it's all over the world.

"The problem has not been for the airport company, it has been for the airline courier."

Once the luggage finally arrives in this country, it is then sent to the rightful owner by taxi, wherever they live, although often days late.

The spokesman added: "It has given both the airline and handling agents additional administration work.

"This is a new system, but it has been installed for a few weeks and we still have the problem.