Baggage mishandling crises often disrupt travellers’ travel plans. At one point or another, a number of airline passengers have had to face unpleasant situations with their baggage. It is either lost, delayed, or damaged.
According to The Guardian report, a whopping number of 26 million pieces of luggage was mishandled in 2022, which was about eight bags in every 1,000 passengers, according to a BBC report. Even though airlines are putting in their best to reduce this, the mishap continues due to a number of factors. According to the IATA report, 6.9 bags were mishandled per 1,000 passengers in 2023.
The large numbers and frequency of recurring baggage issues call for an immediate baggage loss solution, in which IATA’s baggage loss resolution is at the forefront. In this article, I’ll share more on the baggage tracking solution and how it can benefit you as a traveller.
The IATA Global Baggage Roadmap: What You Should Know
IATA baggage roadmap is a 10-year initiative designed to enhance the operational efficiency of airline baggage plans and satisfy travellers. IATA, while working on this roadmap, conducted a poll, and it was discovered that 81% of travellers want better tracking of their luggage. In comparison, 74% wish to receive real-time updates from their mobile phones, which indicates that travellers are ready to adopt this solution.
This roadmap is built around three pillars, which I’ll be explaining below.
- Introducing modern API messaging standards to enable efficient baggage data exchange among airlines, airports, and their partners.
- Enabling the use of electronic baggage tags, GPS trackers, and robotics systems for travellers to track their bags in real-time through the IATA tracking system.
- Protecting passengers from baggage fraud and also helping them resolve their issues faster.
Ravi Handa, a tech enthusiast who hailed from India, shared how an airline in India lost their friend’s bag, which had vital documents in it. Ravi lamented and questioned if the airline was leaking bags. Even though they offered compensation, it wasn’t enough to compensate for the loss.
Every day you learn how the system can mess you up in a new way. @IndiGo6E lost my friend's @nik1220's baggage on a domestic flight (Kolkata-Guwahati).
The bag had stuff worth 45k in it along with important papers like Driving License, PAN, Aadhar, etc.
It was checked in at… pic.twitter.com/L54ZUtOpHr
— Ravi Handa (@ravihanda) August 24, 2024Another influencer on X, Toni Tone, an Author who lives in England, also sadly recounted their sister’s experience who went on a trip with their boyfriend, having arrived at their destination, discovered their bag was missing. It almost ruined their vacation since they had to start the vacation without the necessary items.
My sister is on her first ever baecation, and when she arrived at her destination she discovered that British Airways have misplaced both her and her boyfriends’s luggage! They’re now abroad with no extra clothes or toiletries. What a horrid way to start your first baecation 💔
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) August 8, 2019Note: Stay connected with Africa Travel News on Travelradio live.
Top Baggage Tracking Technologies Changing Travel
Baggage Tracking technology is enhancing travel. It minimises the frustrations and baggage location dilemmas travellers might be facing. Using IOT sensors, mobile baggage alerts, Bluetooth tags, and contactless and biometric technology all offer travellers a seamless experience. It gives assurance that their valuables are secured.
Below are some smart luggage solutions that are changing travel.
- GPS luggage tracker: It provides real-time bag locations. It also syncs with smartphones for instant alerts. An example is the Apple AirTag.
- Electronic Bag Tag: It replaces paper tags with digital scans. Examples are RFID-enabled tags.
- Airline Mobile App: It offers travellers live tracking notifications. It also provides lost baggage support through customer service.
Apak, in a forum discussion on TripAdvisor, asked if luggage trackers are genuinely worth it. This stems from their bad experience when they lost their luggage for a week on a direct Lufthansa flight from the US to Frankfurt. While on their return flight, they had already developed PTSD from losing their bag again.
Commenters further suggested that Apple AirTags have proven to be efficient, and everyone can use them regardless of whether they have an iPhone or not. Although the first setup might require an iPhone, it can subsequently be installed on an Android phone.
Mabintoi, a fashion tech Founder in England, advised travellers not to travel without AirTags as it is handy if they get lost at the airport.
Don’t travel without an AirTag in your luggage. It’s really helpful just in case there’s backlog or it gets lost at your destination airport.
— Mabintou Kolley (@mabintou) June 21, 2022Note: Get more updates on Travel technologies from our Travel blog.
The image below shows an RFID Tag.
Image Source: Canva
How Real-Time Luggage Tracking Benefits Travellers
Real-time luggage tracking benefits travellers in a lot of ways. It ensures travel peace of mind as travellers don’t have to worry about where their bags are or where to locate their bags. Its incorporation of smart travel tools makes it a more efficient and reliable solution.
Below are ways through which real-time luggage tracking can benefit you as a traveller.
- Real-time luggage tracking allows travellers to know the route their luggage is going through.
- It makes it easier to report mishandled baggage.
- It also enables airline staff to handle bag delays actively.
The image below depicts the end of baggage delays.
Image Source: Canva Getty Images
Final Thoughts
Global baggage tracking technology is a turning point in the way travellers travel. Airline Passengers don’t need to accept lost, damaged, or delayed luggage as their fate again. This IATA development will set the pace for smarter travel.
I also encourage travellers not to be in doubt about this technology. Endeavour to adopt it, test it, and be positive about the revolution.
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