Commission requested to draft guidance for safeguarding employees from ionizing radiation hazards.
Losin' Your Luggage in Europe: A Frustrating Truth
Traveling through the skies can be a pleasure, but for many air passengers, the joy often fades when their checked baggage fails to show up on time – or worse, doesn't arrive at all. And if you're flying within Europe, chances are higher that you'll experience this unpleasantness compared to your counterparts in North America or the Asia-Pacific region. Sita, an air transport service provider, has reported this troubling trend.
Last year in Europe, a total of 12.3 bags per 1,000 passengers were mishandled, an increase from the previous year's 10.6. However, even with this rise, the long-term trend in Europe has been heading downward since 2022, when the rate stood at a staggering 15.7 bags per 1,000 passengers. So, while the news isn't all bad, the issue still hasn't been entirely resolved.
Europe vs. the Rest of the World
Compared to Asia-Pacific and North America, Europe's mishandling rates are significantly higher. In 2024, the rate in Europe was almost four times higher than the Asia-Pacific region (3.1 bags per 1,000 passengers) and more than twice that of North America (5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers). Worldwide, nearly 33.4 million bags were affected last year, with most of them arriving late and a smaller but still concerning fraction lost or stolen. Damaged baggage has also become more prevalent, with 18 percent of bags suffering damage – up from 15 percent in the previous year.
Billions of Dollars Down the Drain
The costs associated with missing luggage can be substantial for the industry, amounting to an estimated five billion dollars (around 4.35 billion euros) annually. These costs can encompass everything from courier services to deliver delayed baggage to passengers to compensation for the inconvenience. Sita's report is based on data from more than 280 airlines[2].
As troubling as these numbers may be, progress has been made. In 2007, a staggering 46.9 million bags were mishandled, affecting more than half of the transported passengers. Since then, the industry has worked hard to improve baggage management, resulting in a significant decrease in the mishandling rate[2].
But why is Europe still struggling more than other regions? The answer lies in several factors, including the complexity and volume of travel, infrastructure and operational differences, technological adaptation, and efforts and improvements. Europe's dense network of international flights and large numbers of passengers contribute to its logistical complexity and can make it challenging to effectively manage baggage. Compared to the Asia-Pacific region, Europe's baggage handling systems may not be as automated or rely on real-time data flow. However, ongoing technological upgrades and better data integration are helping Europe reduce these rates, narrowing the gap with other regions[1][3][5].
And despite the higher mishandling rate, Europe leads in efficiently returning lost baggage. In 2024, approximately 4.4 million bags were returned within 48 hours, more than any other region[3]. So, while you may have a higher chance of losing your baggage in Europe, the chances of getting it back are still relatively good.
Despite Europe's struggles with baggage mishandling, compared to other regions like Asia-Pacific and North America, travelers in Europe still experience a unique lifestyle, characterized by a higher probability of dealing with lost luggage during their journeys. However, progress has been made in reducing these instances, and Europe leads in efficiently returning lost baggage within 48 hours, offering a glimmer of hope for troubled travelers.
