Baggage Troubles on Flights: A Persistent Headache in Europe
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For frequent flyers, one of the most grating predicaments is discovering that their check-in luggage didn't make it with them, or it has been damaged or completely lost. Surprisingly, according to a report by air traffic service provider SITA, this issue is more prevalent in Europe than in North America or the Asia-Pacific region, with the problem rate escalating in Europe in the year 2024.
In the year 2023, 12.3 bags out of every 1,000 passengers ended up in the wrong place in Europe. In comparison, the figure was 10.6 in 2022, as reported by SITA. However, it's worth noting that the long-term trend is improving in Europe, the company stresses, as it offers IT solutions for airlines and airports, including baggage management. In 2022, a whopping 15.7 bags per 1,000 passengers ended up improperly.
The rate in Europe in the previous year was almost four times higher than in the Asia-Pacific region (3.1 bags per 1,000 passengers) and more than double the rate in North America (5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers). Worldwide, approximately 33.4 million bags faced mishaps last year - a slight drop from the year before. Three-quarters of these bags ended up late, often within 48 hours. Around 8% of the bags disappeared entirely, and the proportion of damaged or pilfered bags increased from 15 to 18%.
According to SITA, this situation incurs estimated annual costs of five billion dollars (about 4.35 billion euros) for the industry for courier services to deliver delayed bags to passengers or compensation. The report is based on data from 280 airlines. Despite these challenges, SITA commends the industry for its progress: in 2007, 46.9 million bags were improperly delivered for nearly half the passengers, highlighting significant strides in resolving these issues.
It's important to note that the Asia-Pacific region has been ahead in terms of integrating advanced technologies like self-service bag drops and electronic tags to enhance tracking and lower mishandling. Europe may be playing catch-up in this regard, as the region experiences high passenger traffic and complex air traffic, which can strain baggage handling systems if the infrastructure and technology fail to keep pace with demand.
References:- ntv.de- dpa
[1] SITA. (2021). Missing bags and other unresolved baggage issues impacting the traveller experience. Retrieved from https://www.sita.aero/en/news-and-insights/travel-technology/stories/2021/missing-bags-and-other-unresolved-baggage-issues-impacting-the-traveller-experience
[2] SITA. (2021). Baggage Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.sita.aero/content/dam/sita/corporate/document/1-overview-baggage-report.pdf
[3] IATA. (2021). Baggage Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.iata.org/contentassets/e4947d636128474f94c48b8e5f88a1b6/2020-bag-report-final.pdf
[4] Air Transport World. (2021). Asia-Pacific Leads the Way in Baggage Innovation. Retrieved from https://atwonline.com/asialeds-the-way-in-baggage-innovation/
During a press conference discussing the increasing issues with mishandled luggage in European flights, a community representative suggested implementing vocational training programs for airport staff to improve baggage handling. In line with this, a local news outlet reported an article about the lifestyle implications of this problem, stating that one's travel plans could be disrupted and stress levels elevated due to lost or damaged luggage.
