On Thursday, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a global progress report on the implementation of baggage tracking.?

As part of the survey of 155 airlines and 94 airports, the IATA found that 44 percent of carriers have fully implemented Resolution 753¡ª which requires tracking baggage at acceptance, loading, transfer and arrival¡ªand 41 percent are working to meet the requirements.?

Data also showed that full adoption rates for airlines in the Americas were around 60 percent, while 75 percent of airports surveyed have the capability for Resolution 753 baggage tracking.

¡°Between 2007 and 2022, baggage mishandling reduced by nearly 60 percent,¡± IATA Ground Operations Director Monika Mejstrikova said. ¡°That is good news. But travelers expect better; and the industry is determined to make further improvements. Tracking bags at acceptance, loading, transfer and delivery will give the industry the data it needs to improve.¡±

Optical barcode scanning is the dominant tracking technology implemented by the majority of airports (73 percent) while tracking using RFID¡ªwhich is more efficient¡ªis implemented in 27 percent of surveyed airports.?

In 2022, the global rate of mishandled bags was 7.6 per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA. The majority of these were returned within 48 hours.

The IATA is leading the industry¡¯s transition from Type B to modern baggage messaging based on XML standards. The first pilot to test modern baggage messaging between airports and airlines is planned for launch in 2024.?

¡°Adopting modern messaging is the equivalent of implementing a new standard, intelligible language for use by airlines, airports, and ground handling staff so they can effectively communicate about passenger luggage,¡± Mejstrikova continued. ¡°In addition to helping reduce the number of mishandled bags implementation also sets the stage for ongoing innovations in baggage management systems.¡±

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