Press Release: Tajani: lost luggage problem still unacceptable in the European Union

The number of bags delayed at airports amounted to 4.6 million between January 2008 and October 2008 in the European Union. In 2008 32.8 million pieces of luggage were reported lost around the world, which amounts to a decrease of 20% compared to 2007 when 42.4 million were reported lost. Effectively, one piece of luggage has been reported missing for every 64 passengers. Although there had been a decrease following five years of growth, this did not reduce the seriousness of the problem. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, responsible for transport, called the number of bags mislaid, damaged or lost during European layovers 'excessive and unacceptable'.