SITA and Airportr have established a five-year service agreement aiming to innovate the way travelers handle baggage. According to the SITA 2024 Passenger IT Insights report, nearly one-third of global travelers prefer checking in their bags at the beginning of their journey and having them delivered directly to their destination, with a strong interest in getting their luggage picked up from home or hotel.

This partnership, which includes established airlines like British Airways, easyJet, and American Airlines, addresses these preferences by offering travelers a streamlined baggage handling process.

Airportr’s services, authorized by airlines and governmental bodies, enable passengers to check in their bags from homes, hotels, or mobility hubs and ensure secure delivery to their departure airport. The integration of both companies’ data systems will provide full visibility on baggage status, increasing efficiency across various airlines by minimizing traditional reliance on airport infrastructure.

Sergio Colella, SITA’s European President, stated: “Passengers have spoken: they want to take the hassle out of baggage handling. More convenience, less queuing at check-in desks, and greater peace of mind as their baggage moves from point A to point B.”

Randel Darby, CEO of Airportr, remarked: “This partnership unites two innovative companies in travel to enhance baggage logistics using technology, making travel more convenient, efficient, and customer-focused.”

SITA will back Airportr’s operations through its cloud-based Flex platform and Bag Journey service, which are intended to drive the digital transformation necessary for the travel industry.