In a recent report by aviation technology company SITA, it was revealed that airlines’ baggage handling has significantly improved in 2023. The global average mishandled bag rate dropped to 6.9 bags per 1,000 passengers, a 9.2% decrease from the previous year’s rate of 7.6 per 1,000. This improvement is particularly impressive considering that passenger traffic saw a substantial 30% increase in 2023.
Specifically among U.S. airlines, the mishandled baggage rate was reported to be 5.77 bags per 1,000 passengers in the same year. While this is an improvement, there is still room for growth to ensure a smoother travel experience for passengers.
The report highlighted that baggage mishandling is more common on international routes compared to domestic ones. International itineraries had a mishandled bag rate of 12.1 per thousand, whereas domestic routes had a significantly lower rate of 2.4 per thousand. In total, airlines mishandled an alarming 36.1 million bags throughout the year.
SITA’s analysis combines IATA passenger traffic data with information from their WorldTracer automated tracking solution to determine the mishandled bag rate. According to the report, 82% of mishandled bags were due to baggage delays, while the remaining cases were attributed to damaged, pilfered, lost, or stolen bags. Transfer mishandling was identified as the leading cause of delayed bags, accounting for 46% of the incidents.
While the overall trend shows a positive trajectory in baggage handling, there are still areas that require attention. Airlines need to focus on optimizing their baggage handling processes and investing in advanced tracking technologies to further reduce the risk of mishandled bags. Additionally, improved training for staff members handling baggage can contribute to a more efficient and reliable luggage handling system.
The latest data on airlines’ baggage handling performance indicates a positive shift towards fewer mishandled bags. By addressing the root causes of delays and implementing proactive measures, airlines can continue to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers worldwide.