Airport Management’s Post

🌐 **Lost Baggage: A Growing Challenge for Travelers This Summer** This summer, travelers globally are facing significant disruptions with delayed and missing luggage. The Wall Street Journal's recent article, "Lost Baggage Is Latest Headache Travelers Face This Summer," underscores a critical pain point in the aviation sector. As the travel industry rebounds from pandemic lows, airlines are struggling to keep pace with the escalating demand. Staffing shortages further exacerbate the issue, with many carriers unable to provide timely responses to customers seeking updates on their missing belongings. This issue is particularly pronounced for those journeying to and from Europe, adding layers of frustration and inconvenience. Key Takeaways: - **Surging Demand**: The rapid increase in travel demand is straining airline operations. - **Staffing Shortages**: Insufficient staffing levels are hampering the ability to manage luggage effectively. - **Customer Frustration**: The plight of delayed and lost luggage significantly diminishes the travel experience. **Industry Implications**: 1. **Automation and Technology**: There's a heightened need for innovative luggage tracking solutions to mitigate these issues. 2. **Customer Service**: Enhanced customer service protocols and quicker response times are imperative. 3. **Industry Collaboration**: Greater coordination between airlines, airports, and service providers can help streamline baggage handling processes. As industry professionals, how can we collectively address these challenges? What innovative solutions could be implemented to enhance the traveller's experience? Looking forward to your thoughts and insights! 🚀 Visit us at [Luggage Company](https://luggage.company) to explore cutting-edge baggage solutions designed to enhance your travel journey. #TravelIndustry #AviationTrends #CustomerExperience #BaggageClaim #TravelTech

“In the airport, luggage-laden people rush hither and yon through endless corridors, like souls to each of whom the devil has furnished a different, inaccurate map of the escape route from hell.” Ursula K LeGuin Let’s say you have a business where over 1/3 of your customers hate doing business with you.  Let’s say, in response to that knowledge ,you decide to reduce services and add fee’s to nickel and dime (if you consider $100 nickels and dimes) you to death.  All of this even though over 20% of the time the business can’t fulfill its basic service promise. You had 26,000 formal complaints that were filed in the first 5 months of 2023. Welcome to the airline industry. Before I continue, I must declare that I have done work with two of the major airlines, just so you know. The event of flying is just about as bad a customer experience as you can have.  It’s not just the airlines, but also the airport ·      Airport traffic ·      Parking ·      Baggage stuff ·      Getting through security. ·      Airport food prices ·      Boarding process ·      Delayed or cancelled flights ·      Leg room – I didn’t realize that recent evolutionary changes have made us smaller people. Pretty impressive list of headaches.  Human interaction at the airport can rapidly devolve into a real The Lord of the Fly’s scene.  It has become so bad that through technology we have tried to mitigate human interaction.  Scan my ticket and don’t look me in the eye. There are 19,000 airports in the US alone, generating 45,000 flights a day, servicing 2.9 million flyers.  It is a HUGE model to manage with a constant stream of problems.  Weather, mechanical and personnel issues are creating management challenges every minute.  I get it. Heck, I’ve been doing it for over 50 years.  I can even remember when you got cloth napkins, tiny little glass salt and pepper shakers and a real meal in 1st Class. There is a good side.  You get places faster (most of the time) than any other form of transportation.  There are .01 injuries per 100 million passenger miles and water is still basically free. Gotta go, my flight is boarding – only 30 minutes late!

Traveler POV: Your suitcases are packed. Your taxi arrives promptly and drops you to the airport with time to spare. You fly through check-in, bag drop and security before disruption hits. Your flight has been delayed. What’s the first thing you’re looking for? For many, the answer is communication. The solution to the disruption may be different for each traveler, but once the correct response has been found, it’s essential that travelers are informed as quickly as possible. We spoke to 15below CEO Nicholas Key for our report on disruption management. They’re using automation to help travel brands communicate more quickly, and more effectively with their passengers, all while reducing the operational burden on the airline. This helps to answer questions from passenger such as: “How long is the delay?”, “Will I make my connection?” and, “Why is my flight delayed?” in real-time, and via their preferred channel. During stressful times, clear and reassuring communication like this can significantly enhance the passenger experience, ultimately inspiring brand loyalty. This is just one example of how the industry is coming together to tackle the challenge of disruption. Learn more below 👇 https://lnkd.in/e49h_cNZ #AviationDisruption #DisruptedTravel #DisruptionManagement #BetterTogether

You will agree with me missing a flight is not the most pleasant incident to experience especially if you have a connecting flight or an important appointment you can’t afford to miss. Here are some tips to help you avoid it: 1. Plan Your Arrival Time with a Buffer: Aim to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. This allows ample time for unexpected delays, check-in, security checks, and navigating the airport. 2. Choose Reliable Transportation: Opt for reliable transportation options like pre-booked airport shuttles, taxis, or ridesharing services to avoid the stress of traffic jams or public transport delays. 3. Pack Smart and Efficiently: Pack only essentials and follow airline guidelines for baggage allowance. This helps you move quickly through security and avoid hold-ups due to overweight or oversized luggage. 4. Double-Check Documents and Essentials: Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including your passport, visa (if required), boarding pass, and any required health documents, readily accessible. 5. Set Multiple Alarms and Reminders: Don't rely solely on one alarm. Set multiple alarms on your phone and consider leaving a physical note as a backup reminder to ensure you wake up on time for your flight. What other tips would you recommend? Please share in the comment section.

https://lnkd.in/g_7gHNmr This article poses the question of whether overbooking of luggage could be the reason that there is so much misery regarding the stowage of carry on luggage. The theory is that if airlines allow more luggage than there is space for, people will either be inspired to or forced to check the carryon luggage. As a person who deals with this matter every day at work, I strongly disagree. First of all, if this is a strategy, it is a strategy that wastes a large amount of time and risks delaying a flight. Second, it creates bad feelings to have forced half of your customers to pay to check their luggage (at every airline except for Southwest….) and have half do so for free at the gate! In fact, I think the article answered this question more accurately in the following paragraph: “Back in the day, we used to buy an airline ticket and many things were included,” Laurie Garrow, a civil-engineering professor at Georgia Institute of Technology who specializes in aviation-travel behavior, told me. “And then, after the 2008 financial crisis, that’s when the de-bundling started.” Under pressure from rising fuel costs, competition from low-cost carriers, and other factors, airlines separated standard perks such as free checked bags into individual services, which travelers could buy or forgo. To dodge those added costs, more people chose to carry on.” And so the vicious circle continues…. My two cents: stop charging for luggage, and the carryon problem goes away by itself….

🛫 **Atlanta Airport Chaos: Global IT Outage Delays Thousands of Travelers** 🛫 In an unprecedented scenario, a major global IT outage has thrown Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport into disarray, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The crisis began early Monday morning when crucial airline systems, including ticketing, check-in kiosks, and flight scheduling, came to a halt. This halted operations at one of the busiest airports in the world, which usually sees over 275,000 passengers daily. The chaos led to mass flight cancellations, extended delays, and confusion among passengers. Airlines like Delta and Southwest were hit hard, canceling numerous flights and experiencing widespread delays. To combat the issue, additional staff were deployed, social media channels were used for communication, and hotel accommodations and alternative transportation were arranged for stranded passengers. This incident highlights the urgent need for improved IT systems, robust communication protocols, and better crisis management to avoid future disruptions. Are travel disruptions adding to your headaches? What if you could save on taxes and make your next trip smoother? **Next Steps:** Reach out to **Together CFO** or set up a call with us here: **https://lnkd.in/gcpgpRPE

How can communication help make all the difference when it comes to tackling the challenge of disruption? Take a look at our latest report to find out more: https://lnkd.in/e49h_cNZ #DisruptionManagement #Aviation #BetterTogether

Navigating a flight delay can be overwhelming, but with a strategic approach, it's possible to manage the situation effectively. Here's how: - Stay Calm and Gather Information: Monitor announcements and contact airline representatives for accurate updates. - Evaluate Your Options: Check for alternative flights, consider rebooking, and explore compensation possibilities. - Organize Your Plans: Reschedule meetings, arrange transportation, and stay proactive. - Stay Comfortable and Connected: Find a quiet spot, utilize lounge access if available, and stay connected with the airline. - Be Proactive: Be prepared for changes and keep essential items handy. - Maintain a Positive Attitude: Stay polite, patient, and keep perspective during delays. - Network with Fellow Passengers: Share information and consider group solutions for a smoother experience. By staying informed, flexible, and prepared, you can navigate flight delays efficiently and minimize disruptions to your plans.

Intuitive baggage tags are crucial for self-service, this is why: One often overlooked aspect of the travel experience is the process of tagging passenger baggage. When passengers handle the tagging of their own luggage, it can make the check-in process more efficient. However, standard bag tags tend to complicate matters. Passengers frequently struggle with understanding which parts of the tag to pull, which to retain, and which to tear off. This confusion can cause delays 🕐 Therefore, simplifying the bag tagging procedure is crucial to enhancing efficiency and reducing passenger anxiety, ensuring a smooth start to their journey. eezeetags® - Easy. Fast. Clean.