Annually, billions of baggage are transported by airlines, and this volume is expected to rise as global passenger numbers continue to grow. One of the biggest challenges associated with this increase is baggage mishandling, which includes delays, damage, loss, and pilferage.
According to the latest industry estimates, airlines mishandle 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, amounting to 33.4 million mishandled bags in 2024 and costing airlines USD 5 billion annually.
To address this issue, IATA introduced Resolution 753, requiring all member airlines to track baggage at a minimum of four core tracking points. This standard ensures a verifiable audit trail for the acquisition and handover of baggage, ultimately improving traceability and reducing mishandling.
Since the introduction of this initiative in the early 2010s, the industry has achieved a 67% reduction in mishandling rates, demonstrating the significant positive impact of baggage tracking. However, despite strong commitment and progress, adoption has been slower than expected due to varying levels of airport infrastructure maturity, technological readiness, investment constraints, and inconsistent global capabilities.
The Need for Baggage Tracking
$5 billion in total costs annually
Airlines collectively lose billions every year due to mishandled baggage, creating major financial pressure across global operations.
6.3 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers
Despite improvements, mishandling rates remain significant as passenger volumes increase worldwide.
41% of mishandling occurs during transfers
Most baggage issues happen during flight connections, where complex sorting and timing create the highest risk points.
88% of the passengers want real-time tracking
Travelers say they would feel more confident checking in luggage if they could track their bags throughout the journey.
IATA Resolution 753
Resolution 753 requires that airlines track baggage at four key points in the baggage journey:
- Passenger handover to airline
- Loading to the aircraft
- Delivery to the transfer area
- Return to the passenger
Airlines must also share baggage tracking information with their interline journey partners, as required, to ensure end-to-end visibility across the baggage journey.
To secure alignment and support from all stakeholders involved in baggage handling—including airports and ground handlers—IATA has partnered with Airports Council International (ACI) World to develop a comprehensive Baggage Tracking Implementation Guide (pdf), providing a common framework for industry adoption.
In addition, IATA is actively supporting its member airlines in defining their Resolution implementation plans through the completion of the standardized implementation plan template, available in the Resolution 753 Implementation Questionnaire and Plan (pdf).
Benefits of Implementing the IATA Resolution 753
- Reducing the amount of mishandled baggage and associated cost
- Offering passengers positive travel experience and reassurance about the location of their belongings
- Reducing the cost of tracing, retrieving, and delivering mishandled baggage
- Driving baggage handling automation as a step towards operational efficiency
- Providing ground staff with more data to track mishandled baggage and facilitate a speedy reunion, if relevant
- Enabling proactive reporting and data reliability
- Reducing fraud
- Enabling the airlines to be in control of the baggage journey
- Driving progress towards real-time tracking
IATA Support
IATA also provides:
- Certification Program: Baggage Tracking Certification Program
- Training Courses: Baggage Tracking Training
- Direct follow-up with each member airline to build implementation plans and accelerate networkwide adoption over the coming couple of years.
Role of Airports
Airports play a critical role in enabling Resolution 753 implementation, as they often control the infrastructure that generates the tracking data airlines depend on, such as Baggage Handling System (BHS), Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS), sortation systems, and arrival scanning facilities. By providing accurate tracking data at the four mandatory points (acceptance, load, transfer, arrival) and ensuring this data can be shared with airlines in real time or agreed formats, airports directly support airlines’ compliance requirements. Airports also benefit operationally from using this same data to improve baggage flow, manage performance, support hot connections, and strengthen KPI delivery.
Because airlines rely heavily on airport systems and processes to record custody changes, effective collaboration between airports, airlines, and ground handlers is essential. Airports that implement or upgrade common use tracking infrastructure, share data, and participate in local forums (AOC/LBC) become strong partners in reducing mishandling and enhancing passenger experience scanning facilities.
Airline Path to R753 Compliance
- Start at the hub: Establish the four mandated tracking points and implement centralized data handling.
- Expand across the network: Leverage existing airport and ground handler infrastructure where available. IATA can support airlines by matching them with airports that have tracking infrastructure in place—contact the IATA Baggage team at baggageservices@iata.org
- Modernize messaging: Transition from Type B baggage messaging to Modern Baggage Messaging (BIX). IATA provides guidance and support—reach out to baggageservices@iata.org
- Enhance the customer experience: Share real-time baggage status updates with customers using tracking data.
- Leverage analytics: Use baggage data analytics to identify root causes, improve performance, and reduce delays.
- Demonstrate compliance: Build customer confidence by validating your baggage tracking capability.