Airport operator Dubai Airports has announced its plans to introduce a new baggage rule that will see all bags without flat surfaces rejected at check-in. Effective from Wednesday (March 8, 2017), the rule is intended to reduce the risk of mishandled luggage at Dubai International Airport in the UAE. The operator has informed all airlines of the rule and has updated its website, mobile app and terminal signage to help raise awareness.
Ali Angizeh, vice president of terminal operations at Dubai International, said, “Dubai International provides some of the most sophisticated baggage systems in the world. However, even the most technologically advanced systems can be disrupted by irregular shaped or oversized bags. Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are by far the largest source of baggage jams. These jams can shut down sections of our system, delay baggage delivery to the aircraft and inconvenience our customers.
“We are trying to get the message out there as much as possible. Passengers, who show up at the airport with non-compliant baggage, will also be given the option to have it repacked in boxes for a fee.”
Stretching 140km (87mi) and covering a surface area of 75 football fields, Dubai Airport’s baggage handling system is among the largest in the world. It has 15,000 trays and is powered by 21,000 motors. The airport handled approximately 9.3 million bags in January 2017 alone.
