SITA report: Number of misdirected baggage continues to decline

Despite record passenger volumes, fewer pieces of baggage were misrouted in 2024, according to aviation technology provider SITA.

In last year's "Baggage IT Insights 2024" report, SITA reported an improvement in the global misrouted baggage rate from 7.6 to 6.9 per 1,000 passengers in 2023. In the current 2024 report, the rate has improved again, even though passenger volumes have reached a new record high. Despite a global traffic increase, the overall misrouted baggage rate fell by 8.2 percent to 6.3 pieces of baggage per 1,000 passengers, 67 percent lower than the 2007 figure. The total number of misrouted bags rose slightly to 36.2 million, compared to 36.1 million the previous year. In Europe, the misrouted baggage rate fell to 12.3 pieces of baggage per 1,000, representing a 26 percent improvement compared to 2007 and a significant recovery from 15.7 percent in 2022.

Of the total 36.2 million misdirected baggage items, over 61 percent (22.2 million) were processed and resolved within 48 hours via SITA WorldTracer®. Specifically, 16 percent were resolved within 12 hours, 38 percent within 24 hours, and 46 percent within 48 hours.

Estimated costs of five billion US dollars and increased passenger expectations

Despite improvements, baggage misrouting is estimated to cost the industry an estimated five billion US dollars by 2024. This includes costs for courier services and customer service, claims processing, and lost productivity. This highlights the urgent need for investment in real-time, automated, and data-driven baggage systems, explains SITA CEO David Lavorel: "We are witnessing a fundamental shift through automation and the widespread use of real-time tracking. Passengers today expect their baggage experience to be as simple and transparent as using a ride-sharing or delivery app. It's no longer just about moving baggage, but about a seamless, connected travel experience. Airlines are ready to embrace technologies that enhance the passenger experience while being cost-effective and easy to implement. Together with our partners, we are reimagining baggage handling—with full transparency and control for passengers from departure to arrival. This gives them peace of mind and makes travel easier and better."

By 2024, 42 percent of passengers received real-time updates on their baggage, up from 38 percent the previous year. Nearly half of travelers say mobile tracking would increase their confidence in checking baggage, and 38 percent value the introduction of digital baggage tags. Airlines are responding by prioritizing transparency across the entire baggage journey. Currently, 66 percent offer automated bag drop, and another 16 percent plan to do so by 2027. On the airport side, 65 percent plan to implement biometric self-service bag drop systems by the same year. Apple's Share Item Location feature with SITA WorldTracer® allows passengers to share the location of their Apple AirTag with airlines for faster baggage repatriation. Users include British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas, Cathay, and Virgin Atlantic. The integration also enables the WorldTracer Auto Reflight feature, which automatically rebooks baggage on the original baggage tag, identifies the cause of the misrouting, and initiates the solution – all without human intervention.

More damaged or looted luggage

Delayed baggage remains the most common problem, accounting for 74 percent of misroutings (80% in 2023). Lost or stolen baggage accounted for 8 percent, while damaged or looted baggage rose to 18 percent, up from 15 percent in 2023. The main culprits were transshipment errors, accounting for 41 percent (2023: 46%). Labeling or ticketing errors, security issues, and similar factors rose slightly to 17 percent (+3%), while loading errors remained stable at 16 percent. Operational issues such as customs delays, weather, or capacity constraints increased by 2 percent to 10 percent.

Fewer misdirections through new standards

In 2025, the aviation industry adopted the new Modern Baggage Messaging (MBM) standard. MBM Version 2 is designed to improve data quality and reduce the misrouting rate by a further five percent. These improvements build on IATA Resolution 753, which prescribes baggage tracking in four key steps. The focus is not only on reporting problems, but also on predicting and preventing them using shared data. Airports like Red Sea International in Saudi Arabia are already implementing next-generation baggage solutions—including off-airport check-in and real-time tracking powered by SITA Bag Journey.

The SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025 report is based on the views and data of 280 airlines and IATA passenger data. SITA uses a weighting system based on IATA passenger traffic statistics to calculate baggage misrouting rates based on WorldTracer® data.

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