Baggage Improvement Program (BIP)

Definition:

• The Baggage Improvement Program aims to reduce the rate of mishandled baggage by improving handling processes to ensure passengers and their baggage are reunited at final destination. BIP addresses all causes of mishandling. The recently concluded RFID project addresses 20% of baggage mishandling, and is therefore an important part of the BIP solutions toolkit. 

Target:

• Halve the rate of mishandling by 2012 by engaging the 200 airports mentioned in 85% of passenger mishandling files
• Conduct one-to-one engagements with the top 80 of these airports between 2009 and 2012; 20 per year.
• Reach an additional 120 airports through a self-help program beginning in 2010

Background:

• Although baggage mishandling has reduced, it is still a multi-billion dollar problem for the industry
• Increasing security measures add complexity to the baggage handling process
• The result is low passenger confidence in baggage delivery

Program Elements:

The Baggage Improvement Program will provide airlines, airports and ground handlers with tools to:

• Integrate systems – to improve the flow of information between departure control and baggage systems
• Conduct employee training
• Ensure messages needed to keep baggage flowing are available at the right time
• Increase passenger awareness of the value of checking baggage in early and attaching proper labels
• Know which bags need to be processed urgently

Benefits:

• Passengers
  • Receiving baggage upon arrival at destination
• Airline:  
  • Improved baggage processes leading to reduced costs associated with baggage mishandling

Status:

• Over twenty diagnosis visits conducted to date in 2009; in 11 instances, reports have been submitted and dates for implementation meetings confirmed
• During the 2008 diagnosis visits the IATA baggage go-team provided solutions that addressed over 90% of mishandling at every airport

Savings:

• Up to US$1.9 billion per year across the industry

Updated November 2009