by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:55 AM ET, Thu May 9, 2024
On Thursday, the International
Air Transport Association (IATA) released a global progress report on the
implementation of baggage tracking.
As part of the survey of 155 airlines and 94 airports, the
IATA found that 44 percent of carriers have fully implemented Resolution 753— which
requires tracking baggage at acceptance, loading, transfer and arrival—and 41
percent are working to meet the requirements.
Data also showed that full adoption rates for airlines
in the Americas were around 60 percent, while 75 percent of airports
surveyed have the capability for Resolution 753 baggage tracking.
“Between 2007 and 2022, baggage mishandling reduced by
nearly 60 percent,” IATA Ground Operations Director Monika Mejstrikova said. “That
is good news. But travelers expect better; and the industry is determined to
make further improvements. Tracking bags at acceptance, loading, transfer and
delivery will give the industry the data it needs to improve.”
Optical barcode scanning is the dominant tracking technology
implemented by the majority of airports (73 percent) while tracking using
RFID—which is more efficient—is implemented in 27 percent of surveyed airports.
In 2022, the global rate of mishandled bags was 7.6 per
1,000 passengers, according to SITA. The majority of these were returned within
48 hours.
The IATA is leading the industry’s transition from Type B to
modern baggage messaging based on XML standards. The first pilot to test modern
baggage messaging between airports and airlines is planned for launch in 2024.
“Adopting modern messaging is the equivalent of implementing
a new standard, intelligible language for use by airlines, airports, and ground
handling staff so they can effectively communicate about passenger luggage,” Mejstrikova
continued. “In addition to helping reduce the number of mishandled bags
implementation also sets the stage for ongoing innovations in baggage
management systems.”
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