The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched a 10-year Global Baggage Roadmap to modernise baggage operations.
Developed with airlines, airports, and industry partners, the roadmap sets a clear path to improve both operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction.
Baggage handling and its safe delivery are just as critical to countries as they are to the industry in Nigeria.
Last year, Nigerian air passengers experienced a significant number of missing baggage cases, with over 47,000 bags reported missing.
While some bags were recovered, many passengers faced delays and difficulties in reclaiming their belongings.
Airlines are legally obligated to compensate passengers for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage, with compensation varying based on domestic or international flights.
IATA’s Director of Ground Operations, Monika Mejstrikova, said: “Baggage is important for travellers. When they check a bag, they expect it to arrive on time. And if it doesn’t, they want to know where it is.
“That is confirmed by recent IATA polling showing 81 per cent of travellers want better tracking, 74 per cent expect real-time updates on their mobile phones, and 67 per cent are willing to switch to electronic bag tags. The Global Baggage Roadmap will move us closer to the automated digital baggage services that travellers want,” Mejstrikova said.
The roadmap is built around three pillars. First, Baggage Information Exchange and Data Standardisation to align how baggage information is shared among airlines, airports, and partners.
For passengers, replacing legacy systems like teletype with modern messaging standards will mean faster baggage reconciliation, fewer delays due to data errors, and more reliable service recovery when issues arise.
Driving transformation towards this new API-driven baggage messaging standard will significantly reduce the airline industry’s annual spending of $1 billion on teletype messaging.
Second, Baggage Tracking and Automation to provide visibility throughout the journey. This includes the use of electronic baggage tags, GPS tracking, and robotics that will enable passengers to track their bags in real time and experience smoother transfers and arrivals.
Streamlining the baggage claim process, combating fraud, and enhancing the customer experience so airlines can resolve passengers’ claims faster and have better protections from baggage-related fraud.
“This Roadmap will consolidate the progress of previous initiatives to modernise baggage processes and take a holistic view of where we need to be in 10 years. With the buy-in of all stakeholders, we are better placed than ever to improve traveller satisfaction by delivering the digital, automated, and customer-focused service that they get in many other sectors,” Mejstrikova said.
The Global Baggage Roadmap aligns with IATA’s broader efforts to modernise ground operations, enhance safety, and improve the passenger experience. IATA will work closely with stakeholders to develop implementation guidance, provide training, and monitor progress.
