Airline Baggage Handling Sees Significant Improvement in 2023

The airline industry has made significant strides in improving its baggage handling performance, with a notable reduction in the rate of mishandled bags in 2023. This improvement comes despite a surge in passenger traffic, eaching over 5.2 billion passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This demonstrate’s the airline industry’s efforts to enhance the overall travel experience.

Reduced Mishandled Baggage Rate: The global rate of mishandled baggage dropped from 7.6 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2022 to 6.9 per 1,000 passengers in 2023, a 9% year-over-year improvement, according to SITA Baggage IT Insights report.

Regional Differences: Europe experienced the biggest long-term drop in the baggage mishandling rate, from 16.6 per 1,000 bags in 2007 to 10.6 in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region maintained a consistently low mishandling rate, at 3.1 per 1,000 bags in 2007 and 3.0 in 2023, the best globally

While the global trend was positive, there were regional variations. North America saw a modest long-term drop in the mishandling rate from 7.1 per 1,000 bags in 2007 to 5.8 in 2023, with a strong improvement in 2023 specifically.

How Technology Helped Improve Baggage Handling
According to the search results, several key technologies and initiatives helped improve airline baggage handling in 2023:

1. Automation and Digitalization:
   • Increased adoption of self-service bag drop, with 96% of airlines and 72% of airports aiming to offer touchless unassisted bag drop by 2025.
   • Investment in automated baggage handling systems and computer vision technology to streamline the baggage handling process.
2. Data Sharing and Collaboration:
   • Improved data sharing between airlines and airports, with 66% of airports sharing baggage delivery data with airlines.
   • Implementation of IATA’s Resolution 753 initiative, which calls for full baggage tracking and real-time status data sharing across the bag journey.
3. AI and Advanced Analytics:
   • Use of AI and data analytics to uncover insights and automate decision-making, such as SITA’s WorldTracer Auto Reflight system that automatically rebooks mishandled bags.
   • Leveraging AI and computer vision to enhance baggage handling and reduce mishandling rates.
4. Improved Communication and Visibility:
   • Increased use of mobile technology to provide passengers with real-time updates and information about their baggage, with 32% of passengers relying on bag collection information sent to their mobile devices.
   • Efforts to improve communication and visibility throughout the baggage journey, enabling passengers to have more control and reducing stress and anxiety.

These technological advancements and collaborative initiatives have played a crucial role in the industry’s ability to improve baggage handling performance, despite the surge in passenger traffic in 2023.