Frankfurt Airport is gearing up for the busiest days of the summer when flying. The focus is on the weekend from July 22 to 24, when the summer school holidays start in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. But the rush is already overwhelming the staff. The result: More and more pieces of luggage are lost. What victims should do.
System breakdowns such as those at the airports in London or Amsterdam are to be avoided at all costs in Frankfurt/Main with increased deployment of personnel and a slimmed-down flight schedule. The operator Fraport, Lufthansa and the Federal Police recently made this clear.
But despite the ambitious goals, more suitcases are currently stranded than ever before during summer vacations. The main reason for the suitcase chaos, not only at Frankfurt Airport, is the lack of thousands of skilled workers in handling and baggage check-in.
According to the “Bild” newspaper, five times as many pieces of luggage are lost as in normal summer vacation times. This is due to the lack of around 7,000 workers at all German airports.
Suitcases regularly get stuck at the Frankfurt hub, which then have to be sent after the passengers in other jets. Airport employees admit that a mid-four-digit number of pieces of luggage are currently stored in the halls in Rhein/Main.
Travelers are hit differently. If only items of clothing have disappeared, those affected can buy them at the holiday destination. But some travelers miss valuable technical equipment or even irreplaceable memorabilia.
If travelers are missing their luggage, they should act early. This can be done in several steps:
Lost luggage must be reported immediately to the airport’s baggage tracing desk. There travelers should fill out the so-called Property Irregularity Report. If the counter is closed, this form can often also be filled out online on the airport’s website. At Lufthansa, those affected can find help here.
If an airline does not have an online offer, travelers have to go to the airport again during counter opening hours.
In order to make it easier to search for the piece of luggage, it is advisable to label the suitcase or backpack with your name and your holiday and home address and to take a photo of your own piece of luggage.
Travelers should also inform their airline of the loss of their baggage as soon as possible. When traveling with several different airlines, each one should be notified. According to the Hamburg consumer advice center, it is disputed whether an e-mail is sufficient for this – if you want to be on the safe side, you should send the advertisement in writing by registered mail or as a fax with a transmission report.
If the missing luggage can be found, the airline will normally deliver the suitcase or backpack to the traveler’s address. However, not all airlines offer this service – then the luggage must be picked up from the airport.
If a piece of luggage is lost and cannot be retrieved, travelers are entitled to compensation of a maximum of 1400 euros per person – it is therefore better to transport really valuable items in hand luggage. In addition, to receive compensation, travelers must assert their rights within 21 days.
It is advisable to create a packing list before departure. Proof of purchase for the lost items can also be helpful. However, the new price will not be refunded.
If the suitcase is lost on the trip to vacation, travelers have to replace various products immediately: everyday items such as hygiene products or underwear can then be bought later, the costs are usually reimbursed by the airline within a reasonable framework – but the receipts must be provided for this To get picked up.