① Beijing Airport Luggage Surveillance Camera
A video from a Chinese airport that allows passengers to track their luggage in real-time is currently making waves. People shared a video taken at Beijing Airport, where they could monitor the whereabouts of their luggage while waiting to retrieve it.
In reaction to the video, individuals voiced their opinions, with some suggesting, “This system should be adopted worldwide.” In contrast, others noted, “Chinese airports consistently provide efficient luggage retrieval,” and there were comments such as, “This system is greatly needed in Europe, North America, and Australia.”
In addition to Beijing Airport, some Chinese airports allow passengers to monitor the behind-the-scenes luggage sorting area in real-time while they wait for their luggage. This is especially useful for checked baggage, which often gets lost or damaged.
Through this system, passengers can directly observe how employees handle their luggage, which instills more trust in the process.
The airport can increase the efficiency of luggage sorting by strategically deploying staff when there are many waiting passengers. In 2019, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport was the first to introduce two-way visualization equipment for luggage.
Shuangliu Airport showcased this equipment to enhance the construction level of the smart airport and improve service quality during the Spring Festival travel season. After the system was introduced, it received high praise among locals in China. Since then, it has been installed in all domestic and international airport baggage claim areas.
Chengdu Shuangliu Airport became the first domestic airport in China to guarantee a full two-way view of luggage. In addition, they also provide ground transportation information such as subway, high-speed rail, taxi, and bus routes, making it convenient for passengers to check.
② Real-Time Luggage Loading Notification
Some airlines offer real-time notifications for luggage loading to allow passengers to track their luggage.
Air China, one of China’s major airlines, is one of them. When passengers download the Air China app, they receive notifications about their luggage being loaded. In addition to bags, the app also provides information about the boarding gate and baggage claim. Passengers using Air China have found this service to be very convenient.
Korean Air has also offered a luggage loading notification service on all domestic and international routes since 2021. This is a ‘Luggage Matching System’ developed by Korean Air itself. When passengers check their luggage, the app provides real-time updates on whether it has been loaded onto the aircraft. This service can be prevented through the Korean Air mobile app. Airlines like Air New Zealand and Lufthansa also offer this service.
③ High Incidence of Lost or Damaged Luggage
Luggage loss or delay during overseas travel is a common issue. There are even frequent cases of airport staff stealing passengers’ luggage.
Recently, a ground handling company employee working at Incheon Airport was caught by the police for stealing luxury goods and cash from passengers’ luggage. The employee was found to have stolen items and cash worth approximately $312,000. The thefts occurred over 200 times from November 2021 to October 6, 2023, at Incheon Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2.
The employee would randomly open passengers’ bags in the aircraft cargo hold, steal high-end luxury bags and jewelry, and then sneak out with the stolen goods hidden in his work clothes. The police recommended to Incheon International Airport Corporation to strengthen supervision of ground handling companies and enhance security checks.
Recently, consecutive cases of cash and valuables placed in checked luggage were lost at Ho Chi Minh Airport in Vietnam. Five Vietnamese employees in charge of unloading checked luggage were caught stealing from passengers’ luggage multiple times. They broke the locks on passengers’ carry-on bags and stole money. They targeted bags with locks that seemed easy to unlock, and while one person was stealing, the other four kept watch and then divided the stolen money equally among themselves.
The disappearance of valuables and cash from checked luggage continues to occur. It is safest to carry some money personally and not to put valuables in checked luggage.
Extra caution is also needed as incidents of staff stealing passengers’ belongings at security checkpoints occur. Such incidents continue to occur, especially in Philippine airports.
By. Han Mia
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