Baggage Reference Manual (BRM)

The BRM is intended to be used as a general reference document for everyone involved with baggage activities, including ground handlers, check-in agents, supervisors, claims officers, operations and station managers, training departments, head office people, and anyone else dealing with baggage or who require a better understanding of the big picture of baggage operations and policy.

The BRM contains the latest best practices in baggage operations and policy. By applying these baggage operations will help to reduce in the number of mishandled bags and related costs as well as increase customer satisfaction in baggage handling.

What's inside the BRM?

• Part I - The Baggage World (Baggage Resolutions and Recommended Practices, Airport Operational Structure, The Generic Baggage Chain, 10-Digit License Plate, Baggage Tracking, Messaging and Requirements, Measuring Quality in the Baggage Area)

• Part II – The Baggage Journey (Check-in, Security, Storage, Load and Unload, Transfer, Arrival and Claim)

• Part III – Most Common Baggage Problems and Solutions (Guide to Solutions and Their Placement in the Baggage Journey, Baggage Handling Problems, Solutions) 

• Part IV – The Future of Baggage (Short to Medium Term Future, RFID and XML, Technology Roadmap, The Role of Data in Baggage Operations)

• Appendix A – Extracts of Baggage Handling Resolutions and Recommended Practices (Extracts of Baggage Related IATA Resolutions and Extracts of Baggage Related IATA Recommended Practices)

• Appendix B – Glossary

• Appendix C - Special Section-Recommendations for a "Touch-Free" Baggage Process During the COVID-19 Crisis