5.57 bags, nearly 6 out of a 1000 bags were mishandled last 2017. This number might be alarming to passengers but it is actually an improvement according to the SITA Baggage Report of 2018.  The report shows an improvement of 70.5 % from 2007 with 4.08 billion passengers scheduled in 2017.

The mishandled bag.

Delayed, damaged and lost bags are mishandled bags.  In 2017, 78% of mishandled bags were categorized as delayed with damaged/pilfered and lost/stolen bags at 17% and 5% respectively.

What are the reasons.

According to the report, transfer mishandling was the leading cause at 47% with ticketing error/bag switch/security/other at a distant 15%.

If we take a look at a regional perspective, in 2017 Europe lost 6.94 bags per 1000 with North America and Asia at 2.4 and 1.92 bags respectively.

Changing with the times.

Significant strides have been made by the airport and aviation industry to improve the passenger experience. Innovative passenger services using reliable technology has greatly improved the baggage handling of the industry.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Resolution 753/A4A Resolution 30.53, active from June 2018 is intended to encourage airlines to further reduce the number of mishandled bags by applying the necessary procedures to track handled bags. Under the resolution, airlines have three primary obligations:

1. Demonstrate delivery of baggage when custody changes;
2. Demonstrate acquisition of baggage when custody changes;
3. Provide an inventory of bags upon departure of a flight.

Implementing this resolution employs a cross-industry tracking system that will involve the airport, airline and the handling company. The resolution has 2 key elements, namely baggage tracking and exchange of information.

Baggage tracking is achieved by establishing tracking points in the airport. A tracking point is defined by the industry as the point wherein baggage information is recorded for acceptance, acquisition or change of custody of a bag for later reference. In most cases, this is associated to a physical location but it can also represent an action in the system. There are 4 mandatory points along the journey of the handled bag.

1. Check-In / Acceptance: Acquisition of the bag from the passenger.
2. Load: Delivery of the bag on to the aircraft
3. Transfer: Delivery and acquisition of the bag between members and their agents when custody changes between carriers.
4. Arrival: Delivery of the bag to the passenger.

Although the list is the minimum number of points stated in the Resolution, stakeholders have been known to add tracking points along the baggage journey.

THE BAGGAGE INFORMATION.

The baggage information consists of 2 types of data elements, namely the primary and secondary. The primary data element is the 10 digit bag tag number. In case of offline scanning, the time information is recommended to be recorded.

The secondary data element consists of the following information:

• Passenger Name
• Passenger Name Record, PNR
• Outbound flight number and date
• Inbound flight number and date
• Onward flight number and date
• Security/Sequence Number
• Tracking action/event
• Time and date of recording
• Station of recording
• Recording of location/device (physical location)
• Container ID (ULD, Trolley or Cart)

 The location and the technology behind the recording of information.

 Recording ACCEPTANCE of bags

Possible tracking point locations includes the Check-in counters, Bag drops, Security screening, Baggage Handling system (BHS), Gates and the Baggage Reconciliation System. The data elements recorded at these locations are the License Plate Number (LPN or also known as the 10 digit bag tag number), Outbound Flight, Station and Time.

Recording LOADing of bags

Possible tracking point locations includes Bag bulk loaded into hold, Bag loaded into ULD, ULD position in hold, Bag loaded into trolley/cart and Trolley/cart load into hold. The data elements recorded at these locations are the LPN, Outbound Flight, Station, Tracking Action, Container ID.

Recording TRANSFER of bags

Possible tracking point locations includes Bag custody change (carrier to carrier), Bag custody change (carrier to/from third party), Tail to tail transfer container, Aircraft unload, Transfer Point and the BHS. The data elements recorded at these locations are the LPN, Inbound Flight, Outbound Flight, Station, Time, Recording Location and if applicable, Container ID, location loaded and location transferred.

Recording ARRIVALS of bags

Possible tracking point locations includes the Carousel Delivery, Special Bag Claim Delivery ( e.g.  odd/oversize bags) and Direct delivery service to passenger. The data elements recorded at these locations are the LPN, Inbound Flight, Station, Time and in the case of direct deliveries, Recording location and Tracking Action is also recorded.

 The Recording Technology.

Although manual recording is still a valid method for the collection of tracking point data, it should be last on the list of techniques of recording baggage data. Significant advances in recording technology are now recognized by Resolution 753 as valid and efficient methods of recording tracking data points in baggage handling.

• Optical scanning – Laser or imager

The technology has been around for many years and is the most common recording method in the industry. Bar codes on the baggage tags are optically scanned by laser scanners or imagers. The IATA Resolution 740 defines the requirement for interline baggage tags supporting optical scanning.

• RFID scanning

The technology trend for Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is constantly evolving. It uses radio waves in reading and capturing information from RFID enabled baggage tags. It holds a significant advantage in the accuracy of recording data compared to optical scanning which requires line-of-sight. In addition to Resolution 740 interline baggage requirements, RFID is specifically defined in IATA Recommended Practices 1740c RFID for baggage identification.

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Utilizes imaged-based technology to identify the baggage by interpreting the baggage tag image and converting it to an LPN. The OCR scanner can not only recognize the bar code image but can decipher also the numeric tag. Resolution 740 defines the requirement for interline baggage supporting OCR scanning.

• Other technologies

Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, GPS and other tracking technology are less prevalent in the industry but should not be ignored. These technologies have been widely used in other industries and the airport and aviation industry should take note of this.

As of Resolution 753, IATA has yet to define the requirements for using these technologies for baggage identification.

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

As stated by the SITA Baggage Report of 2018, transfer mishandling is the leading cause of mishandled bags. It all comes to transmitting and receiving accurate baggage information. We will look into when and how to exchange baggage data.

When do we need to exchange baggage tracking data?

Airlines have no obligations to exchange data with other parties except where information security and commercial agreements are made. If the case warrants an exchange of baggage tracking data, the data is used for operational and reporting scenarios.

Operational / On-Demand

• As each bag is processed: Exchange in real-time of baggage tracking data by airlines or airport.
• On flight completion: Accumulated baggage data is exchanged between stakeholders only after all bags have been fully processed. (e.g. on flight departure, on last arrival bag track)

Reported Information

• Scheduled batch data delivery: Baggage data is periodically exchanged between parties at distinct times in the day, week or month. The data exchange can be transmitted and exchange in batches on agreed time periods.
• On request: Exchange of information may be warranted between stakeholders only on specific justification as in the case of pro-rate claim, for example.

How do we exchange baggage tracking data?

Two questions are raised on how baggage tracking data is exchanged. What technology is used and the data format used.

Data Exchange technologies

• Delivery Brokers: As is in most airports today, 3^rd party brokers have been commissioned to receive and retransmit data for airlines, airports and handling companies. IATA Recommended Practice 1745 messages such as Baggage Processed Message (BPM), Baggage Manifest Message (BMM), Baggage Control Message (BCM) regulates how information brokers communicate with other systems. They operate over established and supported networks and protocols. Information brokers are not only used in baggage handling but also in several airport systems such as: Passenger handling, Airport resource and slot management system, flight information display systems, etc.
• Point to Point data links: Data links under this technology usually requires agreements between exchanging members or stakeholders. Establishing direct communication paths employing communication and message protocol standards using RP 1745 messages or customized messages based on the needs of the members. Point to point data links support real-time communication and the ability to customize the link provides opportunity to implement on-demand communication.
• Community repository: A common-use system such as a Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS) or a Baggage Handling System (BHS) can collect, store and provide access to baggage tracking data at an airport. Baggage data can be access in real-time, on a batch basis, or on as-needed basis depending on the controls and protocols set by the stakeholders.
• Email/Fax: Another form of a point-to-point link that is open to stakeholders to exchange data of common interest for Resolution 753 purposes. This method usually supports manual process.

Data Exchange formats

• RP1745 formatted messages: Aside from BPMs, BMMs, BCM which were previously mentioned, Baggage Transfer Message (BTM), Baggage Source Message (BSM), Baggage Unload Message (BUM), Baggage Not Seen Message (BNS) and Baggage Request (BRQ) are some of the supported message formats stated in the IATA Recommended Practice.
• Baggage XML messaging: Baggage Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema version 1 published as part of the IATA PADIS release last June 2017, recognized by IATA as the new data exchange format and will modernize current legacy standards for baggage data exchange.
• CSV files: Human readable, standard, flexible format that is easily processed by any desktop or mobile tool.
• Other structured data formats: Aside from XML, JSON among others can be used particularly for point-to-point links.
• Paper/PDF: Generally, not suitable for automatic processing by electronic means and is associated when email or fax is the delivery method.

In Conclusion

The IATA Resolution 753 was developed as a means of driving improvement and was not just meant as a requirement for carriers and the baggage handling industry. Investments in technology has made it possible for stakeholders to greatly improve the passenger experience. Airport developers have also considered the benefits of the Resolution 753 into the design of a more efficient airport.

— Arturo Doble Jr,