25m suitcases go missing despite better baggage handling

WORLD AIRPORTS:TWENTY-FIVE MILLION bags went missing in the world's airports in 2009, and almost a million of them were never reclaimed or were stolen, according to a new report.

The number of missing bags was down almost a quarter on 2008, according to luggage-tracking data from electronics group Sita, but this was largely because fewer passengers were flying, and those who did fly checked in fewer bags, to avoid fees.

Just over half of the missing bags disappeared during aircraft transfers; another 16 per cent were never even loaded on aircraft and therefore did not arrive at their destinations. Ticketing errors, bag switches and security issues were blamed for 13 per cent of lost luggage, while 6 per cent went astray because of customs, weather or weight restrictions. Another 7 per cent were caused by errors during loading or offloading, while 3 per cent of missing bags were incorrectly tagged. Missing baggage cost airlines €1.87 billion in 2009, a year when they collectively lost €7 billion.

Sita says the vast majority of the 25 million mishandled bags are returned to their owners within 48 hours, but 3.4 per cent – 850,000 items – go unclaimed or, in rare instances, are stolen. And what happens to unclaimed bags? Normally, after about six months, they are salvaged, donated to charity or destroyed.

Sita, which runs an IT system used by 440 airlines and ground-handling companies, says the single most important step passengers can take to avoid mishandling is to leave sufficient time between connecting flights to ensure their bag is transferred correctly and on time.

The International Air Travel Association hopes to halve mishandling by 2012, thereby generating annual savings to the industry of up to €1.42 billion. Last year’s drop in lost bags saved it €344 million.