Middle East airports outperform as airlines face $5bn baggage challenge
The Middle East and Africa's air transport sector delivered one of the world's top baggage performances in 2024, according to the newly released SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025.
Despite growing passenger volumes, the region maintained a low mishandling rate of 6.02 bags per 1,000 passengers, up slightly from 4.5 in 2023, yet still outperforming most global regions.
Middle East airlines baggage handling
This mirrors a global trend of improvement, with the worldwide baggage mishandling rate dropping to 6.3 per 1,000 passengers in 2024, compared to 6.9 in 2023—marking a 67 per cent reduction since 2007. This came amid an 8.2 per cent rise in global air traffic.
Of the 33.4 million mishandled bags worldwide, over 66 per cent were resolved within 48 hours, showcasing significant advances in real-time tracking and automated resolution.
Airlines and airports across the globe are increasingly turning to smart, data-driven baggage systems, with 42 per cent of passengers receiving real-time baggage updates in 2024, up from 38 per cent the year before.
Nearly half of travellers said mobile tracking would boost confidence in checking bags, while 38 per cent favour digital ID tags.
Key industry investments include:
66 per cent of airlines now offering automated bag drop
65 per cent of airports planning biometric self-service bag drop by 2027
New integration with Apple's Share Item Location for faster bag location and resolution
The most common issue remains delays, accounting for 74 per cent of mishandled bags, down from 80 per cent in 2023. Damaged or pilfered luggage increased to 18 per cent, while lost or stolen bags held steady at 8 per cent.
Contributing factors in mishandling include:
Transfer mishandling (41 per cent) – improved from 46 per cent last year
Tagging errors, security and misrouting (17 per cent) – up 3 percentage points
Loading failures (16 per cent) – steady
Operational issues like weather or customs (10 per cent) – up from 8 per cent
The release of Modern Baggage Messaging (MBM) Version 2 in 2025 aims to reduce mishandling by an additional 5 per cent, enhancing real-time data quality across the sector.
Airports like Red Sea International in Saudi Arabia are already leading with futuristic solutions including off-airport check-in and real-time tracking powered by SITA Bag Journey.
Nicole Hogg, Director of Baggage at SITA, said: 'We're making progress, but baggage still causes stress. Passengers want reassurance. The future of baggage is rapidly evolving with automation, computer vision, and mobile tools, we're making the experience much more reliable.'
David Lavorel, CEO of SITA, said: 'Passengers now expect their baggage experience to be as easy and transparent as using a rideshare or delivery app. It's no longer just about moving bags, it's about delivering a smooth, connected journey.
'Airlines are ready to tap into technology that improves the passenger experience while keeping costs down and being simple to roll out'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
9 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
UAE authorities deny that digital currency investors will get the coveted golden visa
The UAE has denied reports that it will be granting golden visas to investors in digital currencies. In a joint statement issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) have clarified that golden visas are issued according to officially approved frameworks and criteria, and it does not include digital currency investors. Eligible categories include real estate investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and specialists, top students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline workers. Last week, The Open Network (TON), previously known as Telegram Open Network, announced on its website that investors can stake $100,000 in TON for three years and pay a US$35,000 processing fee to secure a highly-desirable 10-year UAE Golden Visa. The announcement created a massive buzz in the field of crypto, and even prompted former Binance CEO, Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao to question the legitimacy of TON's claim. In an X post, CZ asked: 'Is this real? It would be awesome IF it is true. But I got conflicting info so far. 'There are no official gov website with the 'stake Ton for golden visa' update.' Is this 👇 real? It would be awesome IF it is true. But I got conflicting info so far. Some say: this is just so that they charge you $35k to pass your application to an agent, who usually only charge $1k fee. The website seems to give the impression that "$35k + $100k… — CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) July 6, 2025 UAE denies crypto golden visa claims VARA denied any claims regarding the issuance of golden visas to investors in virtual assets in Dubai. It strongly urged investors and consumers to deal exclusively with fully licensed and regulated companies when engaging in services and investments related to virtual assets. VARA clarified that the company TON is neither licensed nor regulated by the authority, and added that companies licensed by it must strictly adhere to the visa procedures outlined by the Government of Dubai and the relevant federal authorities. The SCA confirmed that digital currency investments are governed by specific regulations and are unrelated to golden visa eligibility. It urged investors to obtain information from credible, official sources to avoid misinformation or fraud. SCA also reaffirmed its commitment to internationally recognised standards in regulating the financial sector and securities services in the UAE and stated that its procedures are designed to ensure transparency, credibility, and bolster investor confidence both locally and internationally, in line with the UAE's strategic goals of attracting quality capital and fostering a sustainable investment environment. The authorities collectively urged the public and investors to exercise caution and refer to official government websites and approved communication channels for accurate information.
Arabian Business
9 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
Korean BBQ chain CupBop opens first UAE restaurant
Korean BBQ chain CupBop will open its first UAE location at Ibn Battuta Mall on July 3, with a celebration event scheduled for July 9. The restaurant, operating under RMAL Hospitality, will serve Korean street food from its location in Tunisia Court's food court on the ground floor. The brand plans to offer free cups to the first 100 customers during the July 9 th celebration. CupBop opens first UAE branch at Dubai's Ibn Battuta Mall CupBop launched in the United States in 2013 when founder Junghun Song started the business with four recipes and a food truck. Dok Kwon later joined the venture, and the company expanded after appearing on Shark Tank. The chain now operates 64 stores in America and 160 locations worldwide. The celebration event will feature activities for children, Spin to Win games, and appearances by the brand's mascot Hoya, described as a tiger wearing sunglasses. Visitors can win prizes including mandoos (dumplings), k-dawgs, and wings. The menu centres on signature bowls served with sauces ranging from mild (#1) to hot (#10), with the secret sauce rated at #7.5. The B-BOP features Bulgogi beef, while the KKO KKO BOP contains BBQ chicken. The ROCK BOP offers fried chicken, and the KRUNCH BOP includes chicken katsu. Vegetarian options include the VEGGIE BOP and DOOCHI BOP with tofu and Korean vegetables. Side dishes include kimchi and K-DAWG corn dogs stuffed with cheese. The restaurant will serve Korean sodas and Binggrae fish-shaped ice cream. 'Cupbop is one of the most exciting and disruptive concepts we've brought to the region. It's fast, fun, and full of flavour, and that's exactly what today's diners are craving. From the very first bite, it delivers on taste, energy, and experience, and we're thrilled to introduce this bold brand to the UAE, starting with our Ibn Battuta Mall store. With the JBR store also on the horizon, this is an exciting time for foodies seeking something different,' Elias Madbak, CEO of RMAL Hospitality said. The company plans to open a JBR location later this year. Delivery services will begin on July 13. The restaurant will operate from 10AM to 10PM daily. Event details
Arabian Business
9 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
UAE launches new AI-driven strategic planning cycle for 2031 Vision
The UAE government has launched a strategic planning cycle for the Federal Government targeting 2031, with artificial intelligence positioned as a priority in government planning, process simplification, resource optimisation, and financial efficiency. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the initiative, stating that proactiveness, future readiness, and strategic planning form the pillars of the UAE government's governance model. 'We have launched the new strategic planning cycle for the Federal Government for 2031. This plan prioritises artificial intelligence in government planning, process simplification, resource optimisation, and enhanced financial efficiency,' Sheikh Mohammed said, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. Mohammed bin Rashid launches new strategic planning cycle aimed at achieving 'We the UAE 2031 Vision' — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 6, 2025 Sheikh Mohammed announces three-year federal government planning cycle replacing five-year model 'While in the past government success was measured by regulatory strength and comprehensive procedures, today it hinges on regulatory agility, streamlined processes, and intelligent resource management, a significantly more complex undertaking. Tools and priorities change, but the unwavering commitment to serve the people of the UAE remains constant,' he added. The strategic planning cycle, titled 'Towards Achieving We the UAE 2031 Vision', has been shortened from five years to three years to align with global changes and ensure flexibility for regular plan updates. Sheikh Mohammed directed teams across ministries and federal government entities to develop government strategies incorporating artificial intelligence and future technology solutions to accelerate the achievement of goals outlined under the 'We the UAE 2031' Vision. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Huda Al Hashimi, Head of Strategy and Government Innovation for the UAE Government. The planning cycle involves 38 federal entities and brings together public officials, including directors of strategy, future planning, and finance. The approach adopts proactive strategic planning as a component, built on principles including integrating strategic planning with artificial intelligence, simplifying procedures and optimising resource utilisation, activating national initiatives through federal entities' plans, and adopting planning to achieve financial efficiency. The Prime Minister's Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs organised a workshop attended by directors of strategy from ministries and federal government entities. The workshop introduced features of the cycle and discussed the strategic importance of the planning model as a step toward building a planning cycle that reinforces the UAE's position as a model for the government of the future. The workshop reviewed the concept of strategic intelligence underpinning the cycle and its importance as a component of the government planning system. This framework enables decision-making through the adoption of analytics, data, and future forecasting tools, allowing decision-makers to understand change and develop plans with performance indicators linked to future challenges and opportunities. The updated planning cycle model calls for simplifying procedures and reducing requirements, enabling entities to focus on implementing projects rather than operational tasks. Participants explored features of the cycle, including innovation, integration among entities, and future readiness, by promoting thinking and cooperation between strategy and finance directors to ensure policy and project alignment with national vision objectives. The workshop reviewed efforts of federal entities to translate the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 Vision into national initiatives and strategies that contribute to building a future. It highlighted strategies launched in recent months, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Investment Strategy. Huda Al Hashimi, Head of Strategy and Government Innovation for the UAE Government, outlined efforts by federal entities to translate the goals of the We the UAE 2031 Vision into national initiatives and strategies. She recalled national strategies introduced during the previous planning cycle that had boosted future planning, bringing national benefits. Participants discussed the importance of adoption of models based on planning and data analysis to enable entities to anticipate changes and respond to challenges with speed and efficiency.
