The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a 10-year Global Baggage Roadmap aimed at modernising baggage operations worldwide.
This is contained in a statement by the association on Wednesday.
IATA’s Director of Ground Operations, Monika Mejstrikova, said the roadmap was created with airlines, airports, and other industry partners.
She said the roadmap outlines a clear path to improve operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction.
“Baggage matters to travellers. When they check a bag, they expect it to arrive on time. If not, they want to know its location,” she said.
She added that recent IATA polling shows 81 per cent of travellers want better tracking, 74 per cent expect real-time updates, and 67 per cent support electronic bag tags.
“The Global Baggage Roadmap will move us closer to the automated digital services travellers expect,” Mejstrikova said.
She explained that the roadmap is built around three key pillars, starting with Baggage Information Exchange and Data Standardisation.
This aims to align how baggage information is shared among airlines, airports, and partners.
She noted that replacing outdated systems like teletype with modern messaging will speed reconciliation and reduce delays caused by data errors.
This upgrade will also support more reliable service recovery when baggage issues occur.
Mejstrikova said adopting new API-driven messaging could cut the industry’s teletype messaging costs, currently around USD 1 billion annually.
The second pillar is Baggage Tracking and Automation, which aims to provide visibility throughout the baggage journey.
It includes the use of electronic bag tags, GPS tracking, and robotics to improve real-time bag monitoring and passenger convenience.
The third focus is streamlining baggage claims, reducing fraud, and improving the customer experience.
According to him, this would help airlines resolve claims faster and protect against fraudulent activity.
“The Roadmap consolidates progress from earlier efforts and takes a holistic view of where we must be in 10 years.
“With support from all stakeholders, we can deliver a digital, automated service like those in other industries,” Mejstrikova said.
She said the roadmap aligns with IATA’s wider goal to modernise ground operations, improve safety, and enhance the passenger experience.
IATA highlighted four ground handling priorities at the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday.
Mejstrikova listed them as: embedding safety in every action, global standardisation, enhanced baggage operations, and building a sustainable, inclusive future.
