Farewell Nationwide, Hello lost luggage
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Farewell Nationwide, Hello lost luggage
From Business Watch in Business Report 14 August 2008
"Where's my baggage?
The loss of Nationwide Airline is regrettable for a variety of reasons. One is that, unlike its competitors, the airline employed its own permanent baggage handling staff instead of outsourcing this part of the business. As a result, there were few, if any, complaints from its passengers about any theft of checked-in items.
This has become a major problem for those travelling with other airlines, particularly to and from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. In spite of attempts to tighten up and assurances from Airports Company South Africa, complaints are still being received.
Anti-terrorism precautions limiting the amount and type of luggage passengers can take on international flights, particularly those applied to expensive perfumes and other toiletries, make the problem worse. Airlines are responsible for compensating passengers for items stolen from their checked-in luggage, even though it is in the control of the baggage handling companies for much of the time.
But because there were so many fraudulent claims from passengers who exaggerated the value of missing items, most airlines, including SAA, now limit the amount of compensation they pay according to the guidelines laid down by the International Air Transport Association. The association recommends compensation of no more than $20 a kilogram, regardless of the claimed value of missing items.
So it is not surprising that the launch of online travel insurance by low-cost airline 1Time, with insurer American International Group South Africa paying up to R5 000 for stolen luggage, has been received enthusiastically. It's probably just a question of time before other airlines follow suit." End quote
Well, there you have it. This is probably one of the reasons Nationwide was voted the most popular domestic airline in 2006. Their operational and cabin staff were good, and they cared for their passengers. Pity about the poor management, we are worse off for not having them around.
Now let's hope that the improved security measures by ACSA translate into better luggage delivery!
"Where's my baggage?
The loss of Nationwide Airline is regrettable for a variety of reasons. One is that, unlike its competitors, the airline employed its own permanent baggage handling staff instead of outsourcing this part of the business. As a result, there were few, if any, complaints from its passengers about any theft of checked-in items.
This has become a major problem for those travelling with other airlines, particularly to and from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. In spite of attempts to tighten up and assurances from Airports Company South Africa, complaints are still being received.
Anti-terrorism precautions limiting the amount and type of luggage passengers can take on international flights, particularly those applied to expensive perfumes and other toiletries, make the problem worse. Airlines are responsible for compensating passengers for items stolen from their checked-in luggage, even though it is in the control of the baggage handling companies for much of the time.
But because there were so many fraudulent claims from passengers who exaggerated the value of missing items, most airlines, including SAA, now limit the amount of compensation they pay according to the guidelines laid down by the International Air Transport Association. The association recommends compensation of no more than $20 a kilogram, regardless of the claimed value of missing items.
So it is not surprising that the launch of online travel insurance by low-cost airline 1Time, with insurer American International Group South Africa paying up to R5 000 for stolen luggage, has been received enthusiastically. It's probably just a question of time before other airlines follow suit." End quote
Well, there you have it. This is probably one of the reasons Nationwide was voted the most popular domestic airline in 2006. Their operational and cabin staff were good, and they cared for their passengers. Pity about the poor management, we are worse off for not having them around.
Now let's hope that the improved security measures by ACSA translate into better luggage delivery!
