More and more passengers flying and less lost or delayed luggage

2016 BAGGAGE REPORT

According to 2016 Baggage Report by SITA, a company that provides solutions and technology to airlines last year recorded the best result ever: 6.5 pieces of luggage "misdirected" per 1,000 passengers. Lower numbers , 10.5% compared to 2014 (7.3 bags per 1,000 passengers) and less than half if comparing with 2003.

This result was achieved despite the increase (85% ) of the flow of passengers since 2003: 3.5 billion people travelling around the world, putting pressure on airport infrastructures and processes related to baggage. It is a growth that shows no sign of slowing down, and needs investments coming from airlines and airports in the technologies able to improve the Passenger Experience and reduce operating costs.

In 2015 the luggage delivered late, damaged, lost or stolen, even if greatly reduced, weighed on the sector for 2.3 billion dollars. Being able to optimize these costs is a priority, also highlighted by the 753 resolution proposed by IATA, which commits airlines to monitor each bag along the entire path.

753 IATA RESOLUTION

The implementation of the 753 IATA Resolution is required by 2018, when airlines will have to equip themselves with technologies able to trace luggage at every step of the journey. For IATA members, it is required in particular to be able to trace back the following information:-

demonstrate the delivery of baggage when the custody changes;

- demonstrate the acquisition of baggage when the custody changes;

- provide an inventory of luggage during the flight departure step;

- share acquisition events or luggage delivery with other airlines, if required.

For now, 61% of the airlines aim to adopt electronic baggage tracking systems within the next year, while at least a quarter of carriers still has no specific investment plans about this.

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS FOR BAGGAGE HANDLING

The first cause of delays in baggage delivery is due to illegible barcode labels, a mistake that prevents boarding them again in time on the same flight of the passenger. The label becomes the key instrument able to compromise the whole process.

Custom solutions respond to the challenge of improving their handling by providing reliable and robust printers, with print heads that are resistant to the most extreme situations, always ensuring barcodes readability. The result, for the 200 airports around the world using the systems designed by Custom Aviation Division, is to have readable labels and luggage properly boarded, avoiding any delays.

In addition to the traditional barcode, many airports and airlines adopt RFID technology, to trace baggage with greater accuracy. Custom responded to this trend too with a range of printers that incorporate the RFID module allowing to record the information in the label's chip and that are printed in real time in the form as barcode. All this without wasting any labels.

The final goal is to optimize the work improving the procedures and reducing waste, without sacrificing functionalities. That's why Custom R&D division has been always focusing on the analysis of the industry real needs, translating them into advanced technologies that offer tangible benefits, such as: self calibration and no paper waste; RFID technology integration; triple feeder to reduce waiting times; printing volumes increase and baggage handling optimization.

Being able to listen to market needs, Custom S.p.A. conquered the Aviation industry in five years, consolidating a business of more than 5 million euros only in this area (07/2016).

Discover all Custom Aviation solutions on our website, and follow us on social networks to be up to date about our new products.