A Dartford chauffeur has spoken of the 'pandemonium' at Gatwick Airport as a baggage system malfunction has caused many to fly without their luggage.

Frustrated passengers were seen queuing from the airport’s south terminal to the arrival hall as staff attempted to fix a fault with the baggage sortation system, according to a witness.

Dartford chauffeur Justin Scrutton, of Justin Time Travel, said: “It’s pandemonium here. I was picking up someone earlier when I saw the queues going a long way back.

“Staff said there had been a problem with the baggage system and said they were going to sort it out this morning.”

Twitter user Ames said: “Madness at @Gatwick_Airport this morning and now a notice saying we might not get our bags straight away on other side.”

Another traveller, Sonia George, said: “@Gatwick_Airpoty really!! No baggage system! Ridiculous.”

A Gatwick Airport spokesman apologised for any delays caused and added the malfunction had been fixed.

He said: “A problem with the baggage sortation system that occurred at Gatwick has been rectified and the airport is recovering from this morning’s disruption.

“Gatwick would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to passengers whose aircraft departed without their bag.

“The airport is working closely with our airlines to forward all bags to passengers at the earliest opportunity.

“Arrivals, and those travelling with carry-on baggage only, were unaffected by this issue and all bags and passengers were security screened as normal.”