Airlines for America, IATA launch global bag tracking campaign
US airline trade group Airlines for America has joined hands with IATA for a new year-long campaign aimed at cutting the number of bags going AWOL during flights.
Less than half of one percent of more than four billion bags are mishandled globally but the two trade organizations want to see further improvement.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and build on progress to ‘realize the full benefits of baggage tracking to further improve performance,’ said Andrew Price, IATA’s global head of baggage.
By next year, airlines have committed to Resolution 753 which mandates the full tracking of bags during the entire journey – when it is checked in and loaded onto an aircraft, transferred to the arrival system or via transfer on another connecting airline.
"In the rare cases when a bag does not arrive with the passenger there will be much more information available to facilitate a quicker reunion. And the benefits don’t stop there. Tracking bags will enable proactive reporting, speed up aircraft readiness for departure, facilitate the automation of baggage processes and also reduce fraud," Price added.
He said airlines have reduced the number of mishandled bags by 54% in the last 10 years due to improved processes.
"Implementation of baggage tracking is a collaborative effort between airlines and airports to improve the passenger experience. Airlines and airports are working together to ensure the infrastructure is available to provide this enhanced service to our customers," said Patty Edwards, managing director of passenger services for A4A.
The campaign will roll out key initiatives to ensure airlines meet the 2018 implementation deadline along with an awareness campaign for travelers.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps