Recent statistics show the rate of mishandled baggage almost doubled globally in 2022, with 26 million pieces of luggage delayed, lost or damaged.
Lost luggage statistics
In 2022, the amount of worldwide airline luggage lost has hit its highest levels in a decade, with nearly 8 bags in every 1,000 going missing between airport bag drops and the carousel at arrivals. Moreover, for international flights, the mishandling rate was 19.3 bags per 1,000 passengers – more than eight times higher than the rate of 2.4 for domestic flights.
Mishandling rates are considerably worse for airlines operating in Europe, with a rate of 15.7 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers, compared with 6.35 in North America and 3.04 in the Asia-Pacific region.
This adds up to some 26 million pieces of luggage globally that were lost, delayed or damaged last year. Despite the efforts made by airlines and transportation authorities to minimise lost luggage incidents, it remains an ongoing issue that travellers must be prepared to face.
Of the 26 million mishandled bags in 2022, 80% were delayed, an increase of 9% on the previous year. Damaged bags accounted for 13% of mishandled bags, while 7% were lost forever
Lost luggage is a common and frustrating problem that could affect anyone who travels abroad. Whether it is due to mishandling by airline staff, a mix-up during transfers, or simply an oversight by the traveller themselves, losing one’s luggage can be a nightmare scenario. Not only does it cause inconvenience and stress, but it can also result in financial losses and difficulties in continuing with planned activities.
Lost luggage incidents
Lost luggage incidents can be a frustrating and stressful experience for travellers. Whether it’s due to a miscommunication between airport staff, mishandling during transfers, or simply getting lost in the system, losing one’s luggage can lead to inconveniences and disruptions to travel plans. Not only does it mean the loss of personal belongings, but it can also result in wasted time and effort spent trying to locate and retrieve the lost items. Additionally, the financial implications of having to replace essentials or valuable possessions can add to the frustration.
To mitigate the chances of such incidents, travellers are often advised to label their bags clearly and keep important documents and valuable items with them and purchase travel insurance to cover any potential losses. Despite these precautions, lost luggage incidents continue to occur, highlighting the need for improved tracking systems and better communication between airlines and passengers.
The problem with travel tags
Travel tags are usually small accessories that are attached to luggage or bags to help identify the owner. These tags are usually made of durable materials and come in various designs and colours. They often include spaces to write personal details such as name, address, and contact information.
Travel tags not only serve a practical purpose by preventing mix-ups and lost luggage, they can also include destination-specific information, such as the name of the city or country being visited.
However, travel tags comprise of written information, which may need to be updated and/or changed for each individual destination. Also, while travel tags might seem like a convenient way to keep track of your luggage, there are several additional disadvantages to using them.
Firstly, travel tags can easily get ripped off or damaged during the handling process, resulting in your luggage being lost or misplaced. Additionally, tags can easily become illegible over time, making it difficult for airport staff to identify the owner or destination of the bag. Overall, while travel tags may offer some convenience, they come with several drawbacks that make them a less than ideal choice for identifying your luggage.
QR code solutions for luggage
QR coding your luggage (or other personal items) is becoming increasingly popular as a way to enhance the security and convenience of travelling. With a QR code attached to their luggage, travellers can tag their luggage and airlines and airports can scan the QR codes to quickly identify the owner and destination of the luggage, reducing the chances of lost or mishandled bags.
QRtrav provides a free of charge online platform which allows luggage and other personal items to be traced back to the owner via QR code scan. Users can easily create their own, unique profile ID page, which works in conjunction with your own, automatically generated, personalised QR code.
Create a free account with QRtrav and help protect your valuables
Setting up your free QRtrav profile ID, downloading your QR code, printing and attaching it to your luggage or personal belongings takes no time at all.
To get started – Create a free account