The BCAS in India has ordered the country's main airlines to simplify the way they deliver checked bags. On February 16, 2024, BCAS issued an order encouraging seven major airlines—Air India, IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India Express Connect, and Air India Express—to immediately begin measures to guarantee the timely delivery of customers' bags.
Seven airlines were instructed to expedite baggage delivery within 10 days.
This move comes in response to mounting concerns over delayed baggage delivery reported through various channels, including social media platforms. In collaboration with the Jyotiraditya Scindia-led Aviation Ministry, BCAS carried out a thorough survey at six significant airports in India. The survey scrutinized the baggage delivery operations of the aforementioned airlines, analyzing over 3,600 flight movements.
As per existing regulations outlined in the Service Quality Requirements of Operation, Management, and Delivery Agreement (OMDA), airlines are obligated to deliver passengers' baggage within a timeframe ranging from 10 to 30 minutes following the shutdown of the aircraft's engines. However, recent observations revealed lapses in adherence to these standards, prompting BCAS to intervene.
While there has been some improvement in baggage delivery performance since the commencement of the monitoring exercise, none of the airlines consistently met the prescribed standards. The OMDA underscores the importance of expeditious baggage handling, specifying that the first bag should reach the conveyor belt within 10 minutes of engine shutdown.
BCAS has set a deadline of 10 days for the airlines to implement necessary measures to enhance baggage delivery efficiency. Failure to comply with these directives may result in further regulatory action. The initiative underscores BCAS's commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency within the aviation sector. By prioritizing timely baggage delivery, airlines can bolster customer satisfaction and uphold industry-wide service standards.
