Last year, more than 2.2 billion enplaned passengers flew across the world’s air networks.
For 99 percent of them, baggage retrieval was straightforward. But for the other one in a hundred passengers, their journey was marred by lost, damaged or misdirected baggage. Unfortunately, that equated to some 94,000 mishandled bags each and every day of the year. At a time when airlines are struggling to remain competitive, this is clearly a concern.
Growing passenger numbers, tight turnaround times and tough new security regulations have greatly increased pressure on existing baggage handling systems. And, ironically, more efficient, streamlined processes can work against improvement. For example, in late 2006, the failure of a computerized sorting system at an Asian airport quickly led to a backlog of almost 7,000 bags. And a similar number of bags ended up in the wrong place following a combination of freezing fog and computer glitches at a major European hub.
The role of technology
Recently released figures from WorldTracer* provide a helpful breakdown of the sources of baggage mishandling. More than half of all mishandlings occur as a result of bags being transferred from one aircraft to another, but technology can play a key role in reducing misconnections and resolving difficulties incurred when bags go astray.
Airlines, airports, ground handlers and passengers are best served with the introduction of an integrated, end-to-end baggage management system, with enhanced tracking and tracing of baggage. Existing reconciliation systems are generally bar code-based – and these systems have undoubtedly helped improve both baggage management and tracking. However, bar code read rates can vary according to the quality of baggage tags, and how well bar code readers are cleaned and maintained.
New technologies, such as RFID, will make a considerable difference.
The introduction of new technologies, in particular RFID, will make a considerable difference, allowing baggage to be more accurately tracked at key points throughout airport terminals and at ramp areas. RFID readers can be used to find a single bag in a container or luggage cart, while fixed RFID readers can be used to support the bag tracking process throughout the airport without the need for visual reads from the bar coded bagtag (which may be hidden under the bag!)
RFID tags are likely to replace bar coded bag tags over the coming years, and have already been in use at Hong Kong International Airport in its implementation of SITA’s Integrated Baggage Solution for tracking and managing baggage since early 2006 – in the largest deployment of RFID in Asia. Bag tag read success rates have improved from around 85-90 percent with the previous bar code system, to over 95 percent through the use of RFID. Cost savings are estimated at more than US$ 3.8 million a year. RFID implementation could generate yearly industry savings of over US$ 750 million.
As part of its Simplifying the Business programme IATA has noted that full RFID implementation for bag tagging could generate US$ 760 million per year in industry savings. That would make a significant dent in the increasing cost of misplaced baggage – and, not least, help restore passenger confidence in a system that, for most, works well – but that causes high profile frustration when it goes wrong.
* Developed by SITA and co-sponsored by IATA, WorldTracer is the industry’s leading automated service for lost and mishandled baggage – consisting of distinct modules for baggage tracing, management and claims investigation.
Experts webcast – baggage handling and aircraft turnaround
A discussion of innovations in baggage handling and the aircraft turnaround process is currently available as a recorded webcast, developed by SITA in partnership with, and hosted by, ATW magazine’s editorial director Perry Flint. Those taking part include Catherine Mayer (SITA Vice President Airport Services), Nick Gates (SITA Senior Manager Product & Technology Strategy) and Alan Thorne (Associate Director of the Auto-ID Lab, Cambridge University).
To see the recorded webcast, go to www.atwonline.com/webcasts/index.html
Auto-ID programme – researching aircraft turnaround processes
RFID is one of the key elements being investigated as part of a research programme investigating the impact of ID technologies on aircraft turnaround processes, funded by SITA and IATA. The research is being conducted by the Auto-ID Labs at the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing in the UK.
Conclusions to date have shown that turnaround disruptions caused by technical delays and late loading, for example, can be significantly impacted by RFID. Improvements can also be gained through RFID deployment in boarding, cleaning and security.
Details of the Auto-ID project were carried in Solutions@SITA Q1 2007. Air transport companies interested in taking part in a pilot programme through 2007 should go to http://sita.autoid.aero.