Air passengers in Nigeria may soon be able to track their checked luggage in real time as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) moves to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology across the country’s airports.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative is aimed at addressing persistent baggage-handling challenges, including missing, misrouted and short-landed luggage, while giving passengers greater visibility of their bags from check-in to their final destination.
The NCAA said it had begun discussions with domestic airlines, aviation service providers and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to finalise plans for the transition from conventional barcode-based baggage tags to RFID technology.
Under the proposed system, RFID tags would provide more accurate and continuous tracking of luggage as it moves through different stages of the airport handling process.
The technology is also expected to make it easier for airlines and other relevant operators to locate missing or misrouted bags and resolve passenger complaints more efficiently.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve the use of technology in Nigeria’s aviation sector and enhance the passenger experience.
The NCAA said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had approved plans for relevant aviation agencies to study the technology and submit their findings before implementation.
If adopted, the RFID system could significantly improve baggage management at Nigerian airports and reduce the uncertainty passengers often face when their luggage fails to arrive at their destination.
The initiative is expected to strengthen accountability among baggage handlers while providing airlines with better tools to trace and recover misplaced luggage.
