The House of Commons Transport Committee announced that it would hold a one-off evidence session on May 7 "on the recent problems experienced at T5".

The committee went on: "Representatives of airport and airline staff, BAA and British Airways will give evidence to the committee."

All those appearing can expect to face tough questioning from MPs led by the committee's chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody (Lab: Crewe and Nantwich).

Another member of the committee is Conservative MP David Wilshire whose Spelthorne constituency includes parts of Heathrow.

After being officially opened by the Queen on March 14, the £4.3 billion T5 began flights on March 27.

The first day descended into travel chaos, with passengers having to, first, wait up to two-and-a-half hours for their bags and then being unable to take check-in bags on board following the collapse of the luggage system.

Dozens of flights were cancelled on all the first few days and when BA attempted to operate a full service for the first time last weekend the airline was hit by more luggage-system problems and then snow.

It was not until this week that a full-flying service was operated at T5. BA has estimated that the T5 troubles will cost it around £16 million.