Airports and airlines, it seems, are getting it together when it comes to baggage issues, according to a new report.
The SITA study shows an increasing number of airlines and airports are providing self-service bag facilities, with 40% now providing self-bag tag printing via kiosks and more than 75% expecting to do so in the next couple of years.
In addition, almost a third of passengers expect to use bag-drop this year either via a kiosk or manned desks.
The area of electronic bag tags is also developing with some airlines trialling tags which enable passengers to update with flight information for each journey, using a mobile application.
Interesting to note that San Diego International airport has just announced an initiative which uses bluetooth technology to notify passengers, via mobile devices and Samsung Gear S2 smartwatches, when their bags are on the carousel at the destination.
The initiative, launched with Total Communicator Solutions and Samsung, also provides further elements to make for a smoother passenger experience.
Meanwhile, London Gatwick Airport is to open a further 20 self-bag drop units in its North Terminal as part of an ongoing transformation programme.
Overall, initiatives such as the above are helping the industry bring down the cost of "mishandled bags" which according to the SITA report cost the industry $2.3 billion in 2015. The figure represents an almost 4% improvement on 2014.
SITA's chief executive Francesco Violante believes bag tracking will be a big focus for airlines in the next three years as they prepare to implement IATA's Resolution 753 which requires carrier members to monitor bags on to the aircraft and from it at the destination. It comes into effect in June 2018.
The SITA 2016 Baggage Report can be downloaded in full here.