11-9-2023 (BERN) When embarking on a flight, most travellers diligently keep their valuable possessions close in their carry-on bags. This not only ensures quick access to vital items like passports and travel documents during security checks but also safeguards against potential headaches in case checked luggage goes astray. A recent incident involving a Swiss Airlines flight bound for Spain underscores the importance of such precautions, as passengers were left bemused upon discovering their baggage had not made the journey with them. The airline has attributed this oversight to a shortage of ground staff.
The affected flight, Swiss Airlines flight WK226, originating from Zurich and operated on behalf of Edelweiss Air, touched down in Bilbao on the evening of Saturday, September 9th. The journey had already been marred by a one-and-a-half-hour delay, with the pilot citing a “shortage of qualified workers” as the primary cause. However, there was no mention of any baggage-related issues at this juncture.
The plot thickened as the plane landed in Bilbao, and passengers eagerly gathered at the baggage conveyor belts, expecting to collect their belongings. However, their optimism quickly waned as they waited for approximately two hours without a single piece of luggage emerging. It was then that staff from Spanish airline Iberia broke the news that the plane had arrived without any baggage onboard, much to the dismay of the passengers.
One passenger, expressing their frustration, said, “I just find it arrogant to knowingly ruin people’s holidays like that. Because it has to be done knowingly.” The passenger argued that the flight crew must have been aware that the plane was not carrying any baggage, as the weight of the cargo should have indicated this.
Swiss Airlines spokesman Kavin Ampalam confirmed to AFP that the flight had indeed taken off with 111 passengers but without any baggage. He attributed this oversight to a shortage of ground staff and explained that the crew had initially waited in hopes of resolving the situation. However, after approximately an hour and 16 minutes, it became evident that there was no improvement, prompting the airline to proceed to Bilbao without the baggage. Ampalam noted that this decision was influenced by the need to pick up additional passengers in Bilbao and return to Zurich before the airport closed for the night.
Acknowledging the inconvenience faced by passengers, Ampalam stated, “This is an unfavourable situation, and we regret all the resulting inconveniences.” However, he was unable to confirm whether passengers had been informed about the decision to leave the baggage behind, stating, “We are still analysing the situation to find out what happened exactly and how we can improve. This shouldn’t happen.”
According to Blick, Swiss Airlines has made arrangements to transport some of the stranded baggage to Bilbao by Sunday, September 10th night, while the remaining luggage is expected to arrive approximately 24 hours later. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper communication and organization in the realm of air travel, as passengers’ experiences can be significantly impacted by such unforeseen mishaps.
