So, what’s really going on with all the missing baggage?
A major concern for flyers all over the world at the moment is why everyone’s baggage seems to be going missing.
According to insurance firm MapfreSA, claims for missing baggage have jumped 30 per cent from 2019 levels and there has been a tenfold increase in baggage arriving on wrong flights. People all around the globe are experiencing this same problem, with Smartraveller going as far to issue a warning to travellers heading through Heathrow airport about airport chaos and baggage going missing.
In fact, these conditions led to Heathrow implementing its cap on passengers, something which many airports around the world already had in place.
Of course, ‘luggage-gate’ isn’t a problem exclusive to Heathrow, as countless travellers in Australia have also been victims of the crisis.
However, a Qantas spokesperson said that the rate of missing luggage for the airline is relatively similar to before the pandemic, increasing from 5 bags per 1000 to 7 bags per 1000.
Passengers who have to endure the trauma of travelling without their things on their long-awaited holidays are at their wits end though.
Nancy Hromin, editor-at-large of Travel Weekly and frequent traveller, recently had her bags go missing for two weeks when heading from Marrakech to Nice on Iberia Airlines. She eventually tracked her bags down, but only after contacting the airport directly and retrieving her bags in person.
“It was terrible, I felt traumatised. My missing luggage had me completely all over the place in those two weeks,” Hromin said. “I had to take the initiative and actually go there to get my bags back.”
Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said that within Australia, this is a problem that has been brewing for years and now passengers and workers are forced to deal with the consequences. Kaine highlighted the conditions that led to such severe labour shortages among baggage handlers, and COVID is not the only cause.
“Years of fragmenting work, suppressing wages, overzealous redundancies and the illegal outsourcing of workers has meant the jobs that remain are low paid with poor conditions,” Kaine said. “In an environment where workers are chronically over-worked, stressed and under enormous pressure, it’s not surprising the industry is struggling to attract skilled workers back to aviation.”
“The industry needs a circuit breaker to stop the rank profiteering and short-sighted focus of airport corporations and airlines that has led us to this point,” he added.
A Melbourne Airport spokesperson echoed Kaine’s opinion, highlighting the lack of staff, while emphasising on how major airlines are working to improve their operational reliability.
“One of the big issues facing airlines and ground handlers is a shortage of staff, caused by a combination of sickness and the need to quickly rebuild their workforce in what is a very tight labour market,” the spokesperson said.
“Ground handlers continue to recruit for new staff, and Qantas and Virgin are working to improve their operational reliability by reducing their flying schedules to better reflect the capacity of their workforce.
“Ultimately we are all one team, and everyone is doing their best to get passengers and their luggage where they need to be, as safely and quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, Sarah Fairley, from Heathrow Airport, said that baggage is the responsibility of the airline. Airline ground handlers manage check-in, load and unload bags and turnaround/clean aircraft and the main constraint on Heathrow has been the lack of handlers.
“We have been warning some airlines for months that this capacity constraint needed to be addressed but there has been no change in the number of airline ground handlers since January 2022 – they are currently only resourced up to 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, while passenger demand is at 80-85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels,” Fairley said.
Travel Weekly reached out to Dnata, who provide baggage handlers for Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and a wealth of other airlines, who declined to comment.
As the industry continues to struggle with a lack of baggage handlers following the pandemic, travellers end up being collateral damage – putting a dampener on many people’s first travel experience after a long hiatus.
What can travellers do?
To avoid becoming another statistic dealing with missing bags in the what is being dubbed the ‘summer of lost luggage’, try these hacks:
- Avoid checking in bags where possible – Of course this is easier said than done and for many people not an option at all, but Travel Weekly’s editor recently left to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games, where she travelled through Heathrow Airport, and managed to pack two weeks worth of luggage for herself in just carry-on.
- Look to use a luggage shipping service – Global luggage shipping services have seen demand triple month-on-month amid luggage-gate. Many also allow people to transport much larger sized bags and items. The main caveat here is that luggage shipping services can be quite expensive and hence won’t be accessible for everyone.
- Try Smart tags – Tagging a bag with an electronic tracker such as ones provided by Apple, can be a great way to prepare for the worst. Sometimes knowing the bag’s literal location could be the difference between a good holiday or a bad holiday.
Featured Image: iStock/Bet_Noire
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
baggage heathrow Iberia Airlines luggage-gate Michael Kaine Nancy Hromin Qantas smartraveller Transport Workers Union Virgin Virgin AustraliaLatest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.