Airlines have done a better job in handling baggage, with mishandling rates declining last year to their lowest level on record despite a huge jump in passenger numbers.
The rate of mishandled bags was 6.5 bags per thousand passengers in 2015, down 10.5% from the previous year, less than half the rate in 2003 and the lowest ever recorded, according to Sita, the air transport communications and IT solutions provider. This improvement comes against the backdrop of an 85% rise in passenger numbers since 2003.
Despite the good news, mishandled bags, classified as those which have been delayed, damaged or pilfered, still cost the industry US$2.3 billion last year.
Although this figure is down 3.75% from 2014, it is still large enough to remain an area of focus for the industry, said Sita chief executive Francesco Violante.
Increased passenger traffic has put pressure on the industry's infrastructure, resources and baggage handling systems, said the Sita Baggage Report 2016, which was released yesterday.
Last year registered more than 3.5 billion passengers, and with no signs of slowing down, the industry is being forced to change how it handles baggage.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is leading the way with its call for airlines to track each bag through the entirety of its journey.
IATA Resolution 753, to be implemented by airlines by June 2018, will result in every bag being tracked at each point of its journey.
Mr Violante said over the next three years bag tracking will be in the spotlight as airlines ready themselves to implement the resolution.
The increased visibility will provide more control and further spur baggage handling improvements.
"It also means passengers will be able track their bags, just like a parcel, which will reduce anxiety and allow them to act fast if their flights are disrupted and their bags are delayed," he said.
Another area of change identified in Sita's report is the growth of baggage self-service.
Around 40% of airlines and airports now provide self-bag-tag printing at kiosks and more than 75% are expected to do so by 2018.