Improvement In Baggage Delivery As Airlines Respond To BCAS 30-Minute Directive

Baggage delivery delays at six major airports have seen a slight decrease in the past two weeks, thanks to ground handling companies deploying additional resources.

Following the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's (BCAS) directive on 16 February to ensure all check-in bags are delivered within 30 minutes of a flight landing at an airport, airlines were asked to implement the required measures to ensure timely delivery of baggage by 26 February.

While there has been an improvement in baggage delivery, it has not yet reached the desired level, according to a civil aviation ministry official, who described it as a work in progress.

On their part, airlines and ground handling companies are intensifying their efforts in response to BCAS intervention. This involves the addition of more electric tugs to expedite bag delivery and bolstering staff numbers to improve the efficiency of bag offloading.

The new norm

Passengers have been experiencing extended wait times to retrieve their luggage following long-haul flights. In response, BCAS has been monitoring baggage arrival at the belts of six major airports since January 2024 under the directives of Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The mandate issued on 16 February stipulates that the first baggage must arrive at the baggage belt within 10 minutes of the aircraft engine being shut off, with the last bag arriving within 30 minutes of the same.

This directive was issued to seven airlines, namely Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Vistara, AIX Connect, and Air India Express.

Airlines are required to ensure that the delivery of the last baggage is completed within 30 minutes according to the service quality requirements outlined in the operation, management, and delivery agreement (OMDA), signed with the airport.

However, implementing the 30-minute norm poses challenges due to operational issues such as assigned parking bays and aircraft types, airport congestion, and ongoing construction work.