If you have ever had a less desirable vacation than your luggage, this information on airport deployment of RFID tracking is for you.
By Gail Flower
And you are not alone. In 2009, the International Air Transport Association estimated that approximate 38 million pieces of luggage were lost annually. When you add up the cost of investigations, delivery, and replacements, the process becomes one of dollars and cents rather than customer satisfaction.
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, NV, and Hong Kong International Airport has begun using RFID systems to track and trace baggage. Because of the success of the RFID tagging system, McCarran Airport has renewed its contract with Avery Dennison’s AD-833 UHF RFID inlay. And the converting partner Print-O-Tape, Inc. for an additional three years.
The average cost of printing and tracking visual traditional baggage tagging systems (largely barcode) is approximately four cents a bag. RFID-based systems cost approximately 15 cents a tag. Therefore accuracy and speed as well as cost control from lost luggage must have made it worthwhile at these airports.
The humorous tales of wandering luggage may not be told as often. After a long journey, it’s nice to have an available wardrobe. If RFID usage becomes commonplace, lost luggage may not have their own storage units at every baggage claim area.
Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to the magazine.