'More investment is needed' to take care of airline passengers

Date: 4/6/2010

There should be further investment in infrastructure and the care of airline passengers' luggage, one expert has suggested.

According to research from travel insurer LV=, people who travel with British Airways are more likely to have their bags damaged or lost than customers of other airlines.

The survey revealed one in every 3.8 passengers reported a problem when using the firm and Virgin Atlantic was ranked at number two, as one in every 8.3 travellers quizzed noted they have experienced lost or damaged luggage over the last five years.

James Freemantle, spokesperson for the Air Transport Users Council (ATUC), stated: "BA have been historically one of the poorest performing airlines, partly because they operate a lot of connecting flights."

He added he believes around 60 per cent of cases are mishandled when they have to be moved between connecting flights.

Mr Freemantle also noted there has always been a problem with Heathrow, but the fact Terminal 5 has had so much investment should mean standards will improve.

Posted by Mary Treen