Problems with baggage: damaged, delayed, lost

Problems with baggage: damaged, delayed, lost

While travelling by plane, there is always a risk that something might happen to our luggage. While passengers are responsible for their hand baggage, airlines are obligated to take certain action when registered luggage is damaged, delayed or lost. These obligations are regulated and described in European Union’s directive. Therefore, it is very useful to know passengers’ rights in case to know what can we require from the airlines if any problem with our registered luggage occur.
First important information is that all airlines are obligated to follow this EU’ directive. It doesn’t matter if you travel by expensive or budget airline. You still have certain rights as their passenger.

bag-813915_640If your registered luggage is damaged, it is important to start the claiming procedure right after arriving at the airport. Otherwise, after leaving the transit zone, it might be extremely hard to prove that the luggage what destroyed during this particular flight. Therefore, as soon as you notice that your luggage is damaged, take a good picture of it – this might be used a proof at the later stage. Right after collecting your luggage you should go straight to the office of particular airline or other office that is in charge in such cases. If you are not sure where to go, ask airport staff. Remember – do not leave the transit zone, such office are always located within. Once you find a room, you will be asked to fill up the Property Irregularity Report. You will have to provide information regarding the price of your luggage, date of the purchase and so on. Some airlines will recompensete with money, others will rather provide you with a new suitcase after collecting the old, damaged one.

If your luggage is delayed, you need to find a lost and found office, which is usually located in the departure hall. In such case, you will be asked to fill up the Property Irregularity Report. Once formalities are finished, you will receive a reference number, which will allow you to trace the status of the procedure. If you don’t carry out this procedure while still at the airport, it is possible to do it up to 21 days after travel. If delayed luggage results in fact that you have no first need articles (such as toothbrush, underpants and so on), you can ask the airline to provide you a voucher to purchase it. If they fail to do so, you have a right to claim a reimbursement for purchasing such products, as long as you have receipts to prove it.
Nowadays, there is no clear deadline up to which airline is obligated to find lost luggage. However, it is assumed that if you don’t get your luggage within 21 days, your luggage has been lost. In such case, airline is obligated to reimburse you with its financial equivalent.

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