FG mulls new baggage handling regime for air travellers

As a way to address baggage losses, misrouting and delays that contribute to passenger complaints and flight disruptions, the Federal Government is considering deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology across the nation’s airports. 

To sensitise stakeholders on the plan, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), brought airlines, ground handlers, and other stakeholders together for an insight on the technology modernisation.

According to the agency, the Radio Frequency Identification system, which is expected to commence within 2026, will provide automated baggage tracking from check-in through loading and arrival. 

Aviation 360 Solutions, the contractor behind the technology, also explained how its platform would integrate with existing airline systems, while addressing concerns raised by operators.

Speaking at the stakeholder event involving: the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) , airlines, ground handlers, the Director Public Affairs and  Consumer Protection of  Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu, said baggage problems remain among the industry’s most persistent passenger complaints. 

He said the issue has attracted attention from the Presidency, the Ombudsman and other stakeholders, because passengers frequently deal with bags that are short-landed, missing, delayed or damaged.

“For many years now, one of the biggest complaints in the industry has been that of baggage,” Achimugu said. He explained that technology must now play a stronger role in improving baggage handling and passenger confidence.

According to the NCAA, RFID will allow passengers to monitor their bags through a dedicated application. Travellers could see whether their baggage has left check-in, reached sorting, arrived at the boarding area or been loaded onto the correct aircraft.

Achimugu said RFID could also transform the way airlines investigate baggage complaints. Under existing arrangements, domestic airlines can have up to seven days to locate and reconcile missing baggage with passengers.

With real-time tracking, however, airlines could identify the last recorded location of a bag much faster. “If you have landed in Lagos, but your bag is in Enugu, for instance, you can tell the airline specifically where your bag is,” he explained.

The system would therefore create a digital trail across the baggage chain. That could reduce investigation time while improving accountability among airlines, ground handlers and airport operators.

The NCAA stressed that the system is not yet operational. Discussions with airlines are already underway, particularly around integration with different Passenger Service Systems and Departure Control Systems.

Achimugu said regulatory changes were also being considered to potentially make baggage automation mandatory. He stressed that implementation would require cooperation because the NCAA does not own airport infrastructure.

In response to some questions raised concerning the system, Aviation 360 Solutions Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Mathias Itua, said multiple scanning points would create a detailed movement record. Bags would be scanned during sorting and again around the loading process, making it easier to establish where a process failed.

The contractor also addressed possible RFID tag failures. It said a fallback mechanism would remain available where RFID tags could not be read, with existing barcode processes continuing to provide backup.

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According to  Aviation 360 Solutions, CEO,  Itua, the project would provide the scanning equipment and supporting infrastructure required for implementation.

Itua explained that fixed and handheld RFID readers would be deployed at strategic points. These would include check-in, sorting, transfer areas, aircraft loading and unloading points, and baggage reclaim.

The platform would combine RFID tags, readers, middleware and system integration with a passenger-facing mobile application. The application would provide flight information, luggage and cargo tracking, milestone notifications and a channel for escalating unresolved complaints to the NCAA after engagement with the airline.