Additional Coverage:
Lost Luggage? These Airports Are the Worst Offenders
A recent study by packaging company Arka pinpointed the airports where you’re most likely to bid farewell to your baggage. Analyzing factors like passenger volume and online searches for lost and found services, the study offers a glimpse into the global baggage black holes. Here are the top 10 airports where luggage goes astray:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: With a passenger volume of 67.4 million in 2023, 1,800 passengers resorted to lost and found services. Its mishandling rate of 12.3 per 1,000 passengers is on par with other major European airports.
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: This airport handles 80 million passengers annually, with a mishandling rate of 5.5 per 1,000 passengers, fitting a pattern of lost luggage among American airports.
- London Heathrow Airport: Heathrow, the busiest airport in Europe, sees over 79 million passengers a year, with 5,400 luggage mishaps. The airport reports a mishandling rate of 12.3 per 1,000 passengers, mirroring other European airports.
- Dubai International Airport: The sole Middle Eastern airport on the list, Dubai International, sees 9,600 lost and found searches, a significantly higher number than its European counterparts. The airport has a mishandling rate of 6 per 1,000 passengers.
- Frankfurt am Main International Airport: Handling 57 million passengers, Frankfurt International Airport has a high mishandling rate of 12.3 per 1,000 passengers and 124 lost and found inquiries.
- Amsterdam Airport: Serving 61.5 million passengers in 2023, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has a mishandling rate of 12.3 per 1,000 passengers. Over 8,000 passengers sought assistance from lost and found services.
- Denver International Airport: Denver’s bustling international terminal, handling 77.8 million travelers annually, saw a staggering 14,600 passengers searching for their lost luggage.
- Singapore Changi Airport: The only Asia-Pacific representative, Singapore Changi Airport had 265 online inquiries for lost items per million flights, coupled with a mishandling rate of 3.1 per 1,000 passengers.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport: Chicago O’Hare takes the lead in lost and found searches. Out of 73.8 million passengers, 20,500 found themselves seeking their missing bags.
- Miami International Airport: Topping the list, Miami International Airport recorded the highest number of lost and found searches per million flights, alongside a mishandling rate of 5.5 per 1,000 passengers. This dubious distinction may be linked to its high passenger volume of 52.3 million annually.