New luggage rule for Indian airlines: Passengers to get baggage clearance in 30 minutes
Regulator directs Air India, and 6 airlines to ensure on-time luggage delivery
New Delhi: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has taken a decisive step to streamline baggage handling procedures across major airlines operating in India.
On February 16, 2024, BCAS issued letters to seven prominent airlines, namely Air India, IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India Express Connect, and Air India Express, urging them to implement necessary measures to ensure the timely delivery of baggage.
BCAS conducted an extensive survey across the nation's six major airports, scrutinising the operations of seven airlines and analysing over 3600 flight movements along with their baggage delivery processes. As per regulations, "airlines are required to ensure the delivery of passengers' baggage within a timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes following the aircraft's engine shutdown."
The directive comes in response to concerns regarding the punctuality of baggage delivery and the receipt of complaints through social media and other windows that passengers are reported to have been victimized by late baggage delivery after landing at the airport, as outlined in the Service Quality Requirements of Operation, Management, and Delivery Agreement (OMDA).
The Aviation Ministry, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, BCAS, initiated a rigorous monitoring exercise in January 2024. This exercise focuses on tracking the time taken for baggage to arrive at designated belts in six major airports across the country.
While there has been a noticeable improvement in performance since the inception of the review, none of the airlines have consistently met the prescribed standards. The OMDA stipulates that the first baggage should reach the conveyor belt within 10 minutes of the engine shutdown, further emphasizing the need for prompt handling and delivery.
Currently, the monitoring efforts are concentrated on six major airports. However, BCAS has directed the airlines to extend their compliance measures to all airports within their operational purview. This broader scope aims to ensure uniformity and adherence to mandated service levels across the aviation sector.
"BCAS has set a deadline of 10 days for airlines to implement the required measures, with a target date of February 26, 2024. Failure to comply with these directives may result in further regulatory action," an MoCA official said.
The move by BCAS underscores the importance of enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency within the aviation industry. By prioritising timely baggage delivery, airlines can enhance customer satisfaction and uphold the highest standards of service excellence.