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Air Canada debuts baggage tracking. But will it make a difference?

Air Canada is introducing baggage and mobility device tracking on its mobile app, but one expert says the airline is “catching up.” The airline announced the new feature Friday and said it will provide customers with up-to-date information on where their luggage is. “At Air Canada, we know that apart from a safe, comfortable journey, the prompt delivery of baggage and mobility aids is a top priority for our customers,” Tom Stevens, vice-president of customer experience and operations strategy at Air Canada, said in a statement. “We already achieve a very high-reliability rate, but to further elevate our service we are introducing a new tracking feature in the Air Canada mobile app to give customers real-time information, greater certainty about the movement of their belongings during their trip, and heightened convenience.” The app will let users know that their baggage has reached “key points,” a release from the airline said. The tracking works using the same tag scanning information Air Canada employees have used to track baggage previously, the company said, only now it will be shared with flyers. The feature will only be available for domestic flights in Canada for now, but Air Canada says it will be expanded to U.S. flights next year, and then to “select international destinations.” The app will also advise customers if their baggage is delayed and enable them to file a delayed baggage report from their phone and arrange delivery, the airline said. However, McGill University aviation management lecturer John Gradek told Global News the feature is the airline “catching up” to other airlines and Apple’s AirTag — and it may not actually help that much if your luggage is lost.<br/>

Saudi start-up Riyadh Air unveils network co-operation pact with Turkish Airlines

Saudi Arabian start-up carrier Riyadh Air has provisionally agreed to enter a strategic co-operation with Turkish Airlines. The agreement is set to include codeshare and interline operations between Riyadh and Istanbul, and the deal will also cover “points beyond”, the Saudi carrier says. “Guests of both airlines will be able to take full advantage of each carrier’s worldwide network,” it states. Both operators are also looking to develop a broad loyalty programme covering their combined networks. Riyadh Air chief executive Tony Douglas says the tie-up is a “very significant step” in the development of the new carrier. He says the agreement will provide “seamless connectivity” through Istanbul to around 130 destinations and will “accelerate our network footprint”. “Bilateral agreements with established network airlines are extremely important to Riyadh Air and there are significant benefits to this partnership,” he adds.<br/>