SITA integrates passenger bag location sharing into WorldTracer system

SITA has integrated Google’s Find Hub share item location feature into its WorldTracer baggage tracing system, enabling airlines to use passenger authorised location data to accelerate the recovery of delayed luggage.

The enhancement allows travellers to share the location of their baggage through personal devices when a bag is delayed. When a passenger chooses to share this information, airline teams can view the location directly within the WorldTracer platform, which is widely used across the global aviation industry to manage mishandled baggage cases.

Traditionally, baggage recovery has relied on airport baggage scans and airline to airline data exchanges. By incorporating passenger authorised location sharing, airlines gain an additional source of information to help narrow search areas and prioritise recovery efforts when baggage fails to arrive at its destination.

Nicole Hogg, Portfolio Director, Baggage at SITA, said: “Airlines are operating in an environment where passengers expect visibility of their baggage at every step of the journey.

“When a bag is delayed, uncertainty increases compensation costs, customer service pressure and reputational risk. When passengers choose to share their bag’s location, airlines gain insight at the moment it matters most.”

The system ensures that passengers maintain full control over their information. Travellers generate a secure link within Find Hub and provide it directly to the airline handling the delayed bag. Sharing can be stopped at any time, links automatically expire and location data remains encrypted.

WorldTracer is used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers across approximately 2,800 airports worldwide, making it one of the most widely deployed baggage management systems in aviation.

According to the SITA 2025 Baggage IT Insights report, global mishandled baggage rates have declined by 67% over the past two decades despite passenger volumes more than doubling.

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