Hundreds of passengers arrive at their destinations without their luggage after airport sorting device REFUSES to work because it didn't recognise the leap year

More than 1,200 passengers were left without their luggage this week after an airport machine refused to recognise the 2016 leap year as a date.

The baggage sorting device at Dusseldorf Airport in Germany faced issues on Monday when it failed to recognised February 29, which comes around every four years, as a date in its calender.

The luggage system, which is located at one of Germany's most renowned airports, failed to deliver the suitcases and bags to the correct locations - resulting in hundreds of people arriving on holiday without their belongings. 

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The baggage sorting device at Dusseldorf Airport in Germany faced issues on Monday when it failed to recognise February 29

In an attempt to deliver the luggage to each aeroplane in time, a team at the airport tried to transfer the cases by hand when the issues started at 5.45am on what the system believed was March 1.

The rest of the day was spent arranging to send the stranded suitcases and bags to holidaymakers.

Despite the airport admitting fault, Dusseldorf staff have advised travellers to turn to their travel agents for reimbursement. 

According to a spokesman at the airport, the new system was only installed in Dusseldorf six months ago.

A luggage system, which is located at one of Germany's most renowned airports, failed to deliver the suitcases and bags to the correct locations

Speaking to MailOnline Travel, spokesperson Christian Hinkel said: 'The story is true, unfortunately. 

'On Tuesday the leap day has caused us a computer problem. In the morning it came repeatedly to disturbances in our baggage handling system. 

'The reason was a software problem. Against all plans, the system didn't recognise the date February 29 as a 'sort criterion'. 

'Around noon, the problem of the software company was solved by an update. 

'We regret any inconvenience for the passengers affected by this situation. Therefore it was particularly important to us to send the remaining baggage as quickly as possible to the destinations.' 

MailOnline covered another incident in August which saw tens of thousands of passengers suffer after a power cut crippled the baggage system at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Five.

Long queues built up at check-in and suitcases had to be piled up in a cordoned-off area so they could be moved manually or on trolleys.

Pictures taken by frustrated passengers showed a stack of luggage beneath a sign reading 'welcome'.