Aviation: not there – problem in Europe larger than elsewhere

For air travelers, it is one of the greatest annoyance when on arrival it turns out that the checked suitcase does not arrive with the same machine when it is damaged or disappeared. In Europe, this problem is significantly larger than in North America or the Asia-Pacific region, as can be seen from the luggage report by the Air traffic service provider Sita. And not only that: the problem rate rose on the European continent in 2024.

Last year, 12.3 luggage pieces per 1,000 passengers were not properly received in Europe. The year before, it was 10.6, as Sita in Geneva announced on request. In the long term, the trend also goes down in Europe, emphasizes the company, which, among other things, offers IT solutions for airlines and airports, for example for luggage management. In 2022, 15.7 luggage per 1,000 passengers were not properly arrived.

USA and Asia-Pacific much better than Europe

The rate in Europe last year was almost four times as high as in the Asia-Pacific region (3.1 per 1,000 passengers) and more than twice as high as in North America (5.5 per 1,000 passengers).

According to Sita, 33.4 million luggage was affected worldwide last year – a little less than in the previous year. Three quarters of it arrived late, often within 48 hours. 8 percent of the luggage was stolen or lost. The proportion of luggage that was damaged or looted rose from 15 to 18 percent.

Mobile tracking and digital luggage trailers

According to Sita, the industry is estimated to be cost $ five billion (around EUR 4.35 billion) in costs, for example through courier services, to deliver late luggage, or compensation. According to Sita, the report is based on data from 280 airlines.

Overall, the industry did a lot and achieved a lot, Sita emphasizes: In 2007, less than half of the passengers carried were not properly received by 46.9 million luggage.