Qatar Airways claims luggage tracking technology certification world first

The Iata certification has been achieved thanks to the airline’s Baggage Management System developed in-house for use at its Doha hub as well as real-time integration with its website and mobile app. Continue reading →

Qatar Airways claims to have become the first airline in the world to comply with new rules designed to track every piece of baggage from the start of the journey all the way through to its finish.

The Iata certification has been achieved thanks to the airline’s Baggage Management System developed in-house for use at its Doha hub as well as real-time integration with its website and mobile app.

The carrier provides real time updates on checked baggage through an online ‘track my bags’ feature. The mobile app provides real time notification to passengers with updates on bags.

The information includes various stages of the baggage handling process such as check-in, transfer, arrival, as well as reference to bag tags and baggage belt.

The system enables airline staff to manage delayed bags to provide an “optimised” handling process. Iata’s ‘Resolution 753’ was developed last year to reduce mishandling and baggage fraud.

All Iata airlines have until June 1, 2018 to comply.

Iata airport, passenger, cargo and security senior vice president, Nick Careen, said: “Qatar Airways’ ability to track baggage at every stage of its journey will allow the airline full visibility to manage its baggage operations and to more easily trace, retrieve and deliver missing or delayed bags, leading to a better experience for passengers.”

Qatar Airways chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our careful attention to our passengers’ baggage, from the beginning of their journey all the way through to its finish, is yet another indication of the importance we place on customer experience.

“We have proactively taken steps to align our baggage management systems with Iata’s requirements.

“As a result, we are delighted that the association has declared Qatar Airways the first airline worldwide to become certified for end-to-end tracking for our hub at Hamad international airport.”