“Using RFID technology in baggage handling as mandated by IATA, airlines can improve baggage reconciliation, save costs, and enhance flyer experience with real-time tracking of their luggage.”
According to various survey reports baggage mishandling is a big issue in the air transport industry and it impacts the aviation industry and passengers worldwide. According to data from SITA, a leading air transport communications and IT provider, the global rate of mishandled baggage improved from 18.88 per thousand passengers in 2007 to 5.57 per thousand passengers in 2019. However, despite this improvement, mishandled baggage remains a concern for both airlines and passengers, highlighting the need for advanced baggage tracking solutions such as RFID technology.
Losing too many Pieces of Luggage
Globally, airlines lost 25.4 million no. of bags in 2019 alone and it cost them about USD 2.5 Billion. So despite all the efforts toward improving baggage handling, the road to 100% effective baggage handling is long and requires collaboration on different levels whether it is ground staff, airports, airlines, or passengers themselves. In the United States, airlines are required to reimburse the flyers for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage and the compensation can go up to 3,300 USD per person. Every lost bag adds to a bad flying experience for the flyers and costs more dollars for the airlines.
However, to improve the baggage reconciliation (system), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been trying to revolutionize the air travel industry through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies. One such innovation is the RFID-based baggage handling system, a groundbreaking solution aimed at enhancing the efficiency and security of baggage handling in the aviation sector.
IATA's Directive to Airlines
In a bid to modernize baggage tracking and improve the overall passenger experience, IATA has urged member airlines to adopt RFID technology for tagging passengers' check-in baggage. The directive stems from the recognition that traditional barcode-based systems have limitations in accurately tracking baggage throughout its journey. Moreover, the prevalent barcoding system to track luggage is also ineffective due to failure in barcode scanning, barcodes being damaged during luggage handling, line of sight requirement in barcode scanning, and barcode scanning of thousands of bags being a time-consuming process. RFID technology offers a more robust and reliable solution for baggage tracking, enabling real-time visibility and monitoring of luggage from check-in to arrival, reducing the likelihood of baggage mishandling, and enhancing operational efficiency for airlines.
The IATA’s Resolution 753
IATA's Resolution 753, which came into effect in June 2018, mandates that airlines must track baggage at four key points during the journey: at check-in, when loaded onto the aircraft, upon arrival at the transfer area, and upon delivery to the passenger. RFID technology aligns with the requirements of Resolution 753, offering a robust and efficient means of meeting these tracking obligations.
IATA hopes that by using RFID technology, airlines can track baggage through all airport processes and reduce the overall baggage mishandling cases. It estimates approx 3 Billion USD return on investment. The RFID tags are already used in the Aviation industry for tracking high-value aircraft components, operational equipment, staff management, etc.
Get Bagg Trax at IGI Aiport, Delhi
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India is now offering Bagg Trax, an RFID-based bag tag that passengers can get at the airport. Once they purchase the tag, they need to scan the QR code present on the Bagg Trax register their luggage, and then place the Bagg Trax inside their luggage or tie it to the bag. The Bagg Trax luggage tracking system informs the flyers about their luggage during boarding and de-boarding. It also informs them of the exact location of the bag on the baggage carousel or whether the luggage has arrived on the baggage carousel yet or not.
Thus, Bagg Trax offers great convenience to passengers travelling via IGI airports in New Delhi, since its launch in 2022. According to DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), the cost of Bagg Trax is very affordable and it can be purchased from the departure area of the airport.
Benefits of RFID-Based Baggage Handling
The adoption of RFID tags for baggage offers a myriad of benefits for both airlines and passengers.
1.Real-time tracking and monitoring of luggage enable proactive management of baggage, minimizing the risk of mishandling or loss. This, in turn, enhances the overall passenger experience and reduces the operational costs associated with mishandled baggage.
2. RFID technology also streamlines baggage handling processes, leading to improved operational efficiency and quicker turnaround times at airports.
3. RFID tags on luggage offer real-time tracking and passengers frequent SMS/Email about the location of their bags, directly on their phone. RFID also reduces the time airline staff invest in scanning thousands of bags.
4. With a handheld RFID SLED Reader (like the Zebra RFD 40), airline staff can quickly scan thousands of bags as the reader offers a read rate of 1300+ tags per second and they can scan the bags from a distance of up to 12m.
To conclude, the RFID-based baggage handling system represents a significant advancement in the aviation industry, offering a comprehensive solution to the challenges associated with baggage handling. IATA's directive for airlines to implement RFID tags for passengers' bags reflects a proactive approach to improving the overall travel experience and operational efficiency. Leveraging RFID technology, airlines can enhance baggage tracking, reduce mishandling incidents, and elevate customer satisfaction.
As the aviation industry continues to embrace technological innovation, the RFID tag-based baggage handling system stands out as a pivotal development that is set to reshape the future of air travel. With RFID technology and an innovative baggage reconciliation system (BRS), Airlines and Airports globally can streamline data collection, and by leveraging artificial intelligence and Machine learning algorithms, they can minimize incidents related to luggage being lost in transit between airports. It can minimize such cases and save the air travel industry billions of approx. 3 Billion USD globally.
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