Airlines around the world 'mishandled' 42 million bags in 2007 and irretrievably lost more than a million of them, a pressure group has said.
Airlines around the world 'mishandled' 42 million bags in 2007 and irretrievably lost more than a million of them, a pressure group has said.
The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) report said the problem was the worst it had been in recent years.
The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) report said the problem was the worst it had been in recent years.
Some airlines were trying to improve baggage handling but passengers were not being fairly compensated, it said.
Some airlines were trying to improve baggage handling but passengers were not being fairly compensated, it said.
Complaints showed travellers without receipts for lost items were not being fully reimbursed, the AUC said.
Complaints showed travellers without receipts for lost items were not being fully reimbursed, the AUC said.
In other cases, airlines were taking into account the depreciating value of items.
In other cases, airlines were taking into account the depreciating value of items.
AUC chairman Tina Tietjen said: "If something goes wrong, airlines should be prepared to compensate their passengers fairly. LOST LUGGAGE Ryanair "often limits passengers to £15 whatever the length of the bag delay"Jet2 airline "refuses to reimburse passengers for claims under £30"A passenger claimed £1,120 for a lost bag, but had no receipts. The airline paid £79.34A claim for a surfboard crushed during a flight totalled £768.99. The passenger was offered £66.95 because he had no receipt and the board was three years old From cases cited in the AUC report
AUC chairman Tina Tietjen said: "If something goes wrong, airlines should be prepared to compensate their passengers fairly. LOST LUGGAGE Ryanair "often limits passengers to £15 whatever the length of the bag delay"Jet2 airline "refuses to reimburse passengers for claims under £30"A passenger claimed £1,120 for a lost bag, but had no receipts. The airline paid £79.34A claim for a surfboard crushed during a flight totalled £768.99. The passenger was offered £66.95 because he had no receipt and the board was three years old From cases cited in the AUC report
"Complaints to the AUC show that passengers often struggle to get reasonable redress from airlines after the event."
"Complaints to the AUC show that passengers often struggle to get reasonable redress from airlines after the event."
Even with delayed baggage, passengers could be left out of pocket, she added: "Airlines will not reimburse them fully for expenses they incurred buying essential items whilst they are without their bag."
Even with delayed baggage, passengers could be left out of pocket, she added: "Airlines will not reimburse them fully for expenses they incurred buying essential items whilst they are without their bag."
She commended the efforts of airlines to improve their baggage handling performance, but said they also needed to turn their attention to what happens when things go wrong.
She commended the efforts of airlines to improve their baggage handling performance, but said they also needed to turn their attention to what happens when things go wrong.
"Airlines are still too quick to load the risk onto the passenger," she added.
"Airlines are still too quick to load the risk onto the passenger," she added.
Figures published in the AUC report showed 42 million bags were mishandled in 2007 compared with 34 million in 2006 and 30 million in 2005.
Figures published in the AUC report showed 42 million bags were mishandled in 2007 compared with 34 million in 2006 and 30 million in 2005.
The AUC said that, with the number of air travellers expected to double in the next decade, airlines could be mishandling as many as 70 million bags a year by 2019.
The AUC said that, with the number of air travellers expected to double in the next decade, airlines could be mishandling as many as 70 million bags a year by 2019.
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