With millions of bags checked in and transported daily, the efficiency of baggage handling is paramount – otherwise, organisations run the risk of lost luggage and unhappy customers.
Advanced baggage handling software is a pivotal tool in preventing mis-routing and other errors, ensuring that every piece of luggage reaches its destination – on time. This article explores the key features of such software.
The Benefits of Baggage Handling Software
Currently worth USD 1.57 billion, the global airport baggage handling software market is forecast to grow to USD 2.75 billion, a CAGR of 9.63%. That’s no surprise considering the increasing demand for international air travel.
In fact, as the industry started to recover from the effects of the pandemic in 2021, the rate of mishandled luggage increased by a staggering 24%, reaching 4.35 pages per thousand passengers. In 2022, this figure is said to have climbed to 6.4 per thousand.
Those dissatisfied customers – along with all the people they talk to about their lost luggage – is not something airlines and airports need at any time, especially not after the challenges during that period. Labour shortages pertaining to ground handlers is also a strain, making it harder to ensure tail-to-tail deliveries arrive on time.
As a result, many organisations have been seeking out advanced software solutions that can take their operations to a new level of accuracy.
Baggage management metrics are crucial signs of service quality. As airports and airlines compete to win the favour of passengers from across the globe, using the right software is not something to be taken lightly – and this is especially true in airports that handle a large volume of transits. With that in mind, let’s consider the benefits in more detail.
Consolidated Information
One of the key features of modern baggage handling software is the consolidation of all baggage processing information in a single location, including details on open flights, flight summaries, and comprehensive flight histories.
This centralisation offers a streamlined and efficient way for operational staff to manage baggage handling processes, providing them with instant access to vital information. It also ensures that all personnel are accessing the same information, for added clarity.
Enhanced Tracking Accuracy
Advanced tracking capabilities minimise the risk of lost or mis-routed baggage. This is achieved through precise tracking systems, often using RFID technology or barcode scanning. In cases of misplaced baggage, the software aids in quick identification and recovery, reducing the time and resources spent in handling such situations.
Efficiency, Speed and Lower Costs
Baggage handling software optimises the sorting, tracking, and transportation of baggage, reducing handling times and ensuring that luggage reaches the correct flights swiftly – especially when the provider supplies a mobile version. As such, this makes it easier to handle a greater throughput of luggage and reduces waiting times for passengers.
In addition, automating the processes involved in baggage handling helps reduce labour costs and minimises the likelihood of human errors that can lead to costly disruptions.
Compliance
Using such software helps organisations to comply with baggage handling regulations, such as IATA 753, reducing the risk of costly penalties. And of course, demonstrating adherence to these regulations enhances one’s reputation for reliability and customer care.
FirstBag Features
FirstBag, our baggage handling software, comes with a range of features that make sure luggage is transported smoothly from check-in to arrivals.
Check-In and Loading
Open Flight: Enhancing Loading Efficiency
The ‘Open Flight’ feature displays real-time loading progress, enabling ground staff to make informed operational decisions, which is crucial in ensuring that each bag is loaded onto the correct flight efficiently. With a clear overview of the loading process, staff can quickly address any issues that arise, reducing the likelihood of delays and misconnections.
Interline: Preventing Misconnections
With the complex logistics of connecting flights, the ‘Interline’ feature plays a critical role. It allows staff to compare incoming and onward flight information, vital for preventing potential misconnections.
This tool is particularly valuable in busy hub airports, where a significant proportion of passengers and their luggage are in transit, ensuring that bags are seamlessly transferred from one flight to another.
Arrivals
Streamlining Bag Collection
For arriving passengers, the wait at the baggage carousel can be anxious. The ‘Arrivals’ feature provides comprehensive details of all incoming flights at the airport, helping ground handlers manage the unloading and delivery of baggage to the carousels, ensuring a smooth and speedy collection process for passengers.
Flight Board: Visual Overview of Baggage Handling
The ‘Flight Board’ offers an instant visual overview of the loading progress of all open flights. This includes flights with unprocessed alerts, allowing staff to quickly identify and address any issues. The visual nature of the flight board enables a quick assessment of the situation, enhancing the decision-making process and operational efficiency.
More Features
Handling Misconnected Bags
Despite best efforts, misconnections of baggage can occur. Our ‘Reflights’ feature enables staff to reflight misconnected bags either individually or in batches. In addition, it records the reason for the misconnection or loss and the actions taken, providing valuable data for improving processes and reducing future occurrences.
Baggage Tracking
The ‘Search’ feature allows staff to efficiently locate both historical and current baggage information using a wide range of criteria. This capability is essential in quickly resolving any baggage-related inquiries or issues, enhancing customer service and reducing passenger anxiety.
Passenger Baggage Tracking App
It’s not just the organisation that gets to be in-the-know about the whereabouts of each piece of luggage. We offer a baggage tracking app for customers, letting them know where their luggage is at all times. And in the unlikely case that it’s not waiting for them at the carousel, they’re alleviated from the stress of thinking it’s lost – as it is never lost, only misrouted – and they can see exactly where it is.
Reporting and Analytics
A comprehensive suite of standard and user-configurable reports and charts are available for analysing flight history and performance data. These tools are invaluable for continually improving the efficiency and reliability of baggage handling operations, thus enhancing the passenger experience.
Critical Tasks: Ensuring Timely Delivery
Monitoring automated BSM alerts with SLA dashboards provide instant visibility for managers and ground staff, and this oversight of critical tasks is essential in maintaining the high standards expected in baggage handling. It allows for immediate identification and rectification of any potential issues, ensuring that all bags are delivered on time and to the correct destination.
Conclusion
Efficient baggage handling is a necessity given the volume of air travel these days. Cloud based baggage handling software plays a vital role in ensuring that every piece of luggage – from the moment it’s checked in to the time it arrives – is tracked, managed, and delivered with precision; and its data collection and analysis capabilities is an essential tool for decision support. 60 airlines and 47 airports across the globe use our software, and we reconcile 45 million bags per year. To find out more or book a demo, contact us today.
