baggage jammed shut.

And arriving passengers watched the plane take off on the return flight to New York -- with their bags still on board.

Now maintenance crews in New York have had to cut into the hold to get the bags out so they can be returned to Bermuda on this morning's flight.

American Airlines spokeswoman Carole DeCouto said: "There was a mechanical failure with one of the cargo doors.

"Unfortunately, the aircraft had to go back with some of the people's luggage still on board.

"They just couldn't get it open -- they couldn't get it open when they returned to New York either.'' Mrs. DeCouto said ground staff in New York tried to open the cargo bay in time to get the luggage back on last night's AA flight to the Island -- but failed.

She said: "They were having to cut it open to get into the hold -- they tried everything else.'' It is understood dozens of passengers were left without their luggage because of the jammed door on the rear cargo bay.

Baggage Other passengers, however, whose luggage was stored in the front cargo hold, were able to pick up their bags as normal.

And Mrs. DeCouto added that outgoing passengers on the return leg were also unaffected as the front cargo bay was big enough to take all their luggage.

She said: "Hopefully, all of the luggage which had to go to New York will be back on this morning's flight.'' An Airport spokesman last night confirmed a group of passengers were affected -- but was unable to supply further details.