What is it?
IATA Resolution 753 requires airlines to track checked baggage. Airlines must record the location of baggage at four key points and share data among partner airlines. Many also share this information with their passengers.
How is it done?
Airlines must collect and verify data at the following points when baggage custody or status changes:
- Check-in (Acceptance): When baggage is physically accepted by the airline from the passenger
- Load: When baggage is loaded into the aircraft’s cargo hold.
- Transfer: When baggage is moved over to a connecting flight.
- Arrival: When the baggage is returned to the passenger at the baggage claim area at the destination.
Data are recorded by collecting and recording the LPN on each baggage tag using technologies such as barcodes and RFID. However, RFID is more accurate than barcodes.
Compliance – who is doing it?
This is mandated to all IATA member airlines. The actual data collection is done by airlines/ground handlers/airports depending on who owns the system to collect the data. Some airlines use RFID to collect such data, others still manually with barcode.
Who shares what with passengers?
Even on flights spanning multiple airlines, such as connecting flights, tracking data is seamlessly exchanged between airlines. Passengers themselves can easily check the latest status of their luggage through their mobile apps and other means. (Depends heavily on the functionality of the airline’s apps.)
