Airlines mishandling fewer bags as technology improves: SITA report

Airlines are improving their baggage management practices, with the rate of mishandled bags falling by 70.5% over the last decade to a record low as technology allows for better tracking, according to a report released on Thursday. Delayed, damaged and lost bags cost airlines an estimated $2.3b in compensation, transport and other imposts last year, the report from Swiss aviation technology group SITA shows, down 46% from a decade ago. "In every service industry 'the mistake' is very expensive," SITA CEO Barbara Dalibard said. "If you reduce drastically the number of events of this kind you make huge savings. It also reduces anxiety for the passengers." In 2017, 5.57 bags were mishandled for every 1,000 passengers, a record low. That added up to 22.7m bags globally. To help cut down on mishandled bags, IATA members have agreed to keep track of each bag at specific points in the journey from this June. The carriers will have to share that information with all involved in delivering those bags back to passengers at their final destination. "While we won't see a sudden change in 2018, it is a real turning point for the industry as airlines begin to unlock the value of the tracking data for the 4.65 billion bags they carry," Dalibard said.<br/>