More than 10,000 items of luggage have failed to be loaded on to planes.
The 'problem bags area' in the basement of the passenger terminal has been awash in suitcases that represent about 15 per cent of a typical day's traffic.
The figure of 10,000 was confirmed by the Airport Authority, which said staff worked overnight on Monday to try to reduce the backlog.
Sources said staff in the high-security baggage areas had been augmented by large numbers of new staff, many of whom appeared to be building labourers.
The authority was not able to confirm the reports. The large increase in staff is believed to be one reason why fewer bags were left behind yesterday.
Among the hardest-hit with baggage problems was a flight to Frankfurt operated by Lufthansa on Monday. It left with just 50 per cent of passenger luggage on board.
