Airlines Struggle to Keep Up as Lost Baggage Persists Amidst Travel Surge
Harley Hendrix, a frequent traveler, recently experienced the frustration of lost luggage when her suitcase containing a cherished Alexander McQueen dress and packs of cheese was diverted to Copenhagen instead of New York. Despite using an AirTag to track her belongings, it took a week for Delta Air Lines and KLM to locate the suitcase in Denmark and forward it to New York, by which time the cheese had spoiled and the McQueen dress had to be discarded along with other valuable items. Hendrix’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by airlines and baggage-handling firms in keeping up with the surge in air travel following the pandemic.
Last month, airports across the US and Europe experienced luggage pileups and delays due to storms and outdated systems, resulting in lost bags. Passengers have increasingly turned to Bluetooth tracking devices like AirTags, Tile, and SmartTags to monitor their bags, adding pressure on the industry to catch up. Airlines and baggage-handling firms are striving to improve their systems and are exploring partnerships with technology companies to incorporate trackers into existing systems. However, creating a standard for interoperability poses a challenge.
The current bag-handling technology relies on barcodes, which only log items intermittently rather than continuously. This lack of real-time tracking and communication between different systems within the industry leads to breakdowns and delays in bag delivery. For instance, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel blamed Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport’s outdated systems for the loss of 10,000 bags in a single day.
Despite airlines’ efforts to improve their baggage-handling processes and reduce lost bags, incidents still occur frequently. Factors such as airport WiFi signals, transfer errors, flight disruptions, and labor shortages contribute to the problem. Bluetooth tracking systems provide passengers with updates on their bag’s location, but airline customer-service desks often lack access to this information, creating frustration for passengers.
The airline industry acknowledges the need for improvement and is exploring ways to enhance transparency and information sharing between airlines and airports. Swissport International AG, one of the largest ground service providers at airports, has appointed a baggage czar to address issues and collaborate with customers on digital tracking solutions. SITA, an industry-owned provider of aviation technology, is working on centralizing the tracing of lost baggage and extending tools to passengers to assist them in monitoring their belongings. However, greater collaboration and information sharing among industry participants are essential for resolving the problem.
While the use of Bluetooth trackers has increased among passengers, airlines want tech firms to educate customers that the trackers do not always provide up-to-date information, which can lead to additional costs for airlines and customer-service challenges. Nevertheless, passengers continue to invest in these trackers to mitigate the risk of lost baggage.
Overall, the airline industry is making strides to improve its baggage-handling processes and reduce incidents of lost luggage. However, challenges such as interoperability, labor shortages, and outdated systems still hinder progress. Passengers remain hopeful that advancements in technology and collaboration among airlines, airports, and technology companies will ultimately lead to a more reliable and efficient baggage-handling system.
As for Hendrix, she received a modest compensation of $109 from KLM for her ruined items but expressed disappointment as some of the belongings held sentimental value and could not be replaced exactly. She has since purchased additional AirTags to safeguard her luggage during future trips.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
![[READY STOCK] Slim Travel Pouch Hidden Bag Compact Hidden Security Money Passport ID Waist Belt Bag Hidden Zippered Bag](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
