BCAS Mandates Timely Baggage Delivery, Warns Action

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has taken a significant initiative to streamline baggage handling procedures among major airlines operating in India.

On February 16, 2024, BCAS sent letters to seven prominent airlines—Air India, IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India Express Connect, and Air India Express—urging them to implement necessary measures for ensuring timely baggage delivery.

BCAS conducted a thorough survey at six major airports nationwide, examining the operations of these seven airlines and analyzing over 3600 flight movements along with their baggage delivery processes. According to regulations, airlines must ensure passengers’ baggage is delivered within 10 to 30 minutes after the aircraft’s engine shutdown.

This directive comes in response to concerns about the punctuality of baggage delivery and complaints received via social media and other channels regarding delayed baggage delivery after landing at the airport, as outlined in the Service Quality Requirements of Operation, Management, and Delivery Agreement (OMDA).

Under the leadership of Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, BCAS initiated rigorous monitoring in January 2024. The focus of this exercise is to track the time taken for baggage to reach designated belts at six major airports across the country.

While there has been some improvement in performance since the review began, none of the airlines consistently met the prescribed standards. The OMDA mandates that the first baggage should reach the conveyor belt within 10 minutes of engine shutdown, highlighting the importance of prompt handling and delivery.

Currently, monitoring efforts are concentrated at six major airports, but BCAS has instructed airlines to extend their compliance measures to all airports within their operational jurisdiction to ensure consistency and adherence to mandated service levels across the aviation sector.

An official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) stated that BCAS has given airlines a 10-day deadline to implement the required measures, with a target date of February 26, 2024. Failure to comply may lead to further regulatory action.

BCAS’s initiative underscores the importance of enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency in the aviation industry. By prioritizing timely baggage delivery, airlines can improve customer satisfaction and maintain high service standards.