Routes and Airports Channel

SITA sees improvement in baggage handling

ATW's Airports Today, April, 2009, p.5

The number of mishandled bags has fallen by one-fifth, from 42.4 million in 2007 to 32.8 million in 2008, according to SITA's annual baggage report. The decline in lost luggage saved the industry an estimated $800 million.

Some of the reasons for the improvement include fewer bags checked by passengers--attributed to the imposition of bag fees--improvements in management and handling processes, an increase in staff handling baggage and better tracking and tracing technology.

SITA noted an increase in the number of airlines that actively discourage passengers from checking luggage, particularly in Europe and North America. "There is a clear trend across the industry towards encouraging passengers to lighten the load with fewer and lighter bags, or at the very least ensuring that passengers pay the costs associated with checking in baggage," the report stated.

It also noted an increase in the number of airlines that use RFID technology for baggage handling. Only 2% used RFID in 2007 but that grew to 11% in 2008 and 32% expect to use RFID within the next two years. While the industry supports RFID for baggage management, industry experts believe widespread implementation will be delayed by the recession until 2011 and beyond.

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