SITA released its SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025 report on June 12, highlighting steady improvements in global baggage handling. The report, reflecting data from 280 airlines and IATA passenger traffic, indicates a notable drop in mishandled baggage rates.

Key Findings:

• The baggage mishandling rate in Europe decreased to 12.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, a 26% improvement from 2007 and a recovery from 15.7 in 2022.
• Worldwide, the mishandling rate dropped to 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, down from 6.9 the previous year.
• Approximately 33.4 million bags were mishandled, with over 66% resolved within 48 hours.

Ongoing Issues:

Despite these advancements, mishandling costs the industry approximately $5 billion annually. SITA’s David Lavorel emphasizes that industry transformation is ongoing, spurred by technological advancements and evolving passenger expectations. He advocates for long-term solutions over temporary fixes to enhance baggage handling reliability.

Technological Integration:

Innovations like Apple’s AirTag integration with SITA WorldTracer enhance recovery efforts, while 42% of travelers had access to real-time baggage updates in 2024.

Future Directions:

New regulations, including the Modern Baggage Messaging standard, aim to improve data quality and reduce mishandling rates further.