The number of mishandled bags has almost doubled from 2021 to 2022 to 7.6 bags per thousand passengers, according to SITA’s 2023 Baggage IT Insights report.
It claims the increase in mishandling has highlighted the need to digitalise baggage processing further.
In response, SITA has developed the WorldTracer Auto Reflight system, which automatically identifies bags not likely to make a connecting flight and rebooks them.
SITA estimates that automation of reflight operations could save the industry up to $30 million per year.
By 2025, 67% of airlines plan to offer real-time baggage status information directly to passengers, up from 25% today.