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| BAA luggage-tracking trial begins | BAA luggage-tracking trial begins |
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| A six-month trial that could revolutionise the way luggage is tracked and monitored has begun at London's Heathrow airport. | |
| The scheme - run by British Airports Authority (BAA) - uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to tag baggage. | The scheme - run by British Airports Authority (BAA) - uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to tag baggage. |
| The £150,000 project involving the Dubai-based airline Emirates is likely to track some 50,000 bags a month. | The £150,000 project involving the Dubai-based airline Emirates is likely to track some 50,000 bags a month. |
| Stephen Challis of BAA Heathrow said it "could significantly improve efficiency" at Heathrow. | Stephen Challis of BAA Heathrow said it "could significantly improve efficiency" at Heathrow. |
| He said BAA was committed to "innovative baggage handling solutions". | He said BAA was committed to "innovative baggage handling solutions". |
| "[It] could significantly improve the efficiency of Heathrow's baggage system, delivering an improved service to both passengers and airlines alike." | "[It] could significantly improve the efficiency of Heathrow's baggage system, delivering an improved service to both passengers and airlines alike." |
| RFID is already used in a variety of ways such as the Oystercard used by travellers in London and also in pet passports. | RFID is already used in a variety of ways such as the Oystercard used by travellers in London and also in pet passports. |
| Text update | Text update |
| At Heathrow, it will enable airport staff to track bags at every stage of the process, allowing the airline to know exactly where the luggage is, and so reducing lost items. | At Heathrow, it will enable airport staff to track bags at every stage of the process, allowing the airline to know exactly where the luggage is, and so reducing lost items. |
| RFID IN USE Oystercard A travel card used in London which allows the user to enter Underground and certain overground stations by swiping a card readerPet passports Each passport has a unique ID which leads to a databasePharmaceutical industry Companies can make sure the drugs are not counterfeitShops Used to track items such as jewellery, CDs and DVDs | RFID IN USE Oystercard A travel card used in London which allows the user to enter Underground and certain overground stations by swiping a card readerPet passports Each passport has a unique ID which leads to a databasePharmaceutical industry Companies can make sure the drugs are not counterfeitShops Used to track items such as jewellery, CDs and DVDs |
| Passengers who give their mobile phone number could receive a text letting them know the location of their bag when they land at the airport. | Passengers who give their mobile phone number could receive a text letting them know the location of their bag when they land at the airport. |
| There are five flights a day between Heathrow and Dubai involving 1,500 passengers. | There are five flights a day between Heathrow and Dubai involving 1,500 passengers. |
| Vic Sheppard, Emirates Vice President for UK and Ireland, said: "This trial enables us to embrace the latest technology for the benefit of our customers." | Vic Sheppard, Emirates Vice President for UK and Ireland, said: "This trial enables us to embrace the latest technology for the benefit of our customers." |
| The travel insurance company InsureandGo estimated an 85% increase in lost baggage claims between January and June 2007. | The travel insurance company InsureandGo estimated an 85% increase in lost baggage claims between January and June 2007. |
| It said, on average, its customers lost 12 bags per day during the first half of 2007 - the equivalent of one bag every two hours. | It said, on average, its customers lost 12 bags per day during the first half of 2007 - the equivalent of one bag every two hours. |
| The Independent newspaper's travel editor, Simon Calder, told BBC News 24: "By August we should know whether... it [the RFID system] might actually be used to reduce the ludicrous and very expensive amounts of luggage that gets lost." | The Independent newspaper's travel editor, Simon Calder, told BBC News 24: "By August we should know whether... it [the RFID system] might actually be used to reduce the ludicrous and very expensive amounts of luggage that gets lost." |