Not over-packing ‘can reduce risk of lost bags at the airport’Not over-packing ‘can reduce risk of lost bags at the airport’

Travellers taking a flight to Australia, India, Thailand or South Africa this summer can reduce the risk of problems at the airport by packing carefully, an air travel industry council has said.

Travellers taking a flight to Australia, India, Thailand or South Africa this summer can reduce the risk of problems at the airport by packing carefully, an air travel industry council has said.

On some occasions, travellers bags are lost or mishandled due to travellers over-packing their luggage, causing locks to break open, said the Air Transport Users Council (AUC).

“There are things the passengers can do to stop their bags getting lost,” explained James Fremantle, industry affairs manager at the AUC.

Holidaymakers are advised to make sure their luggage can be identified by putting a name and address on their bags and making sure they pack carefully, said Mr Fremantle.

According to a report published in May by the Post Office, some nine per cent of UK travellers are concerned about their luggage becoming damaged during a trip.

On average, 85 per cent of bags that were delayed by flight carriers were returned to their owners within 48 hours, reported the Association of European Airlines about its members.