Baggage Handling Systems & Procedures — BHS, Baggage Types, Security & Mishandled Baggage
Aviation · Part 3 · Module 15
Baggage Handling Systems & Procedures — BHS, Baggage Types, Security & Mishandled Baggage
Every piece of checked baggage travels a remarkable hidden journey — from check-in counter through conveyor belts, X-ray scanners, sorting machines, and ramp loaders — before appearing on the carousel at your destination. Here is the complete guide to baggage handling.
🧳 What Is a Baggage Handling System (BHS)?
A Baggage Handling System (BHS) is the integrated system of conveyor belts, screening equipment, sorting machines, and loading systems that moves checked baggage from check-in counters to aircraft (outbound) and from aircraft to baggage claim carousels (inbound). BHS design is determined by: airport terminal size, passenger volumes, aircraft types, airline requirements, and airport budget.
🏗️ 4 Core Areas of a BHS
1. Input Area
Where baggage enters the BHS system. Input areas include: staffed check-in counters, self-service check-in kiosks, bag drop counters, self-tagging stations, and curbside check-in. All baggage tagged with unique barcode linked to passenger’s PNR.
2. Screening Area
Electronic inline baggage screening system. Comprises EDS (Explosive Detection System) units with one or more matrices. Programmed to automatically detect explosives, dangerous goods, and prohibited items. Bags with alerts are diverted for manual inspection.
3. Makeup Area (BMA)
Designated berths/piers/makeup devices where bags are sorted by flight and loaded onto trolleys or ULD containers. If no automated sortation: bags sorted manually by flight. Bags transported via conveyor to RAMP for aircraft loading.
4. Claim Area
Baggage delivery to arriving passengers via flat-plate or slope-bed carousels. Separate oversize baggage delivery area for large items. During peak season: retractable walls can expand claim area to improve Level of Service (LOS).
👥 6 Passenger-Baggage Categories
International Originating Passengers (departing internationally)
Domestic Originating Passengers (departing domestically)
International Destination Passengers (arriving internationally)
Domestic Destination Passengers (arriving domestically)
International Transfer Passengers (connecting flights)
Domestic Transfer Passengers (connecting domestic)
Baggage volume estimates: International passengers = 1.25 to 2.0 bags each · Domestic passengers = 1.0 to 1.25 bags each.
🔄 9 Types of Baggage Flows in BHS
Flow 1
Domestic Check-in: All LOS levels in same area — First Class, Business, Coach check-in on common conveyor.
Flow 2
International Check-in: Where international passenger flow is large. Separate from domestic — unless no scheduled international departures, in which case same conveyor belt shared.
Flow 3
Remote Check-in: For family vacationers or conference travellers. Separate secured vendors with appropriate baggage screening before departure.
Flow 4
International Recheck: When international passengers connect to domestic flights — baggage rechecked at domestic point.
Flow 5
Odd-Sized Check-in: Oversized baggage cannot travel on standard conveyor belt — requires odd-sized belt system or manual handling.
Flow 6
Group Check-in: At vacation destination airports — dedicated belt feeds outbound baggage system for group bookings.
Flow 7
Transfer Baggage: At hub airports — separate load belts feed outbound baggage system connected to automated/manual sortation for connecting flights.
Flow 8
Early Bag Storage Systems (EBSS): Used when large numbers of transfer bags arrive before flight departure time. Held in EBSS then fed into BHS closer to departure for sortation and delivery.
Flow 9
Special Handling Items: Non-conveyable items requiring specialised handling: pets, firearms, sports equipment (bicycles, skis, golf clubs), wheelchairs, and medical instruments.
🔒 Baggage Security
All checked baggage must pass through X-ray/EDS screening. Items triggering EDS alert are diverted for physical inspection by security personnel. Bags with dangerous goods must be removed from the system before loading. Baggage tagged with unique identifier — each bag traceable to its owner. Unclaimed or unidentified bags trigger security protocols including possible removal from terminal.
⚠️ Mishandled Baggage
PIR — Property Irregularity Report
Filed when baggage is: lost (not delivered), delayed (not on same flight as passenger), damaged (broken/torn/wet), or short-shipped (loaded on wrong flight).
Passenger must: File PIR at airline counter before leaving airport. Receive PIR reference number for tracking. Provide description of bag, content value, and delivery address.
Airline liability: Governed by Montreal Convention (1999) — SDR 1,131 per passenger for domestic flights; higher for international. Some airlines offer excess valuation declaration for higher liability.
SITA Baggage Report: Global industry benchmark. IATA tracks mishandled baggage rates annually — industry target: fewer than 3 bags per 1,000 passengers.
Passenger must: File PIR at airline counter before leaving airport. Receive PIR reference number for tracking. Provide description of bag, content value, and delivery address.
Airline liability: Governed by Montreal Convention (1999) — SDR 1,131 per passenger for domestic flights; higher for international. Some airlines offer excess valuation declaration for higher liability.
SITA Baggage Report: Global industry benchmark. IATA tracks mishandled baggage rates annually — industry target: fewer than 3 bags per 1,000 passengers.
🎯 UGC NET Key Points — Module 15
◆ BHS = Baggage Handling System — 4 areas: Input, Screening (EDS), Makeup (BMA), Claim
◆ EDS = Explosive Detection System — inline automated screening
◆ 6 passenger-baggage categories: Int’l Originating, Domestic Originating, Int’l Destination, Domestic Destination, Int’l Transfer, Domestic Transfer
◆ Baggage volumes: International = 1.25-2.0 bags · Domestic = 1.0-1.25 bags
◆ 5 outbound baggage inputs: staffed check-in, self-service kiosk, bag drop, self-tagging, curbside
◆ 9 baggage flows: Domestic, International, Remote, Int’l Recheck, Odd-Sized, Group, Transfer, EBSS, Special handling
◆ EBSS = Early Bag Storage System — for transfer bags arriving before departure time
◆ PIR = Property Irregularity Report — for lost/delayed/damaged baggage
◆ Montreal Convention 1999: governs airline liability for baggage — SDR 1,131 limit
◆ Mishandled baggage industry target: fewer than 3 bags per 1,000 passengers
◆ EDS = Explosive Detection System — inline automated screening
◆ 6 passenger-baggage categories: Int’l Originating, Domestic Originating, Int’l Destination, Domestic Destination, Int’l Transfer, Domestic Transfer
◆ Baggage volumes: International = 1.25-2.0 bags · Domestic = 1.0-1.25 bags
◆ 5 outbound baggage inputs: staffed check-in, self-service kiosk, bag drop, self-tagging, curbside
◆ 9 baggage flows: Domestic, International, Remote, Int’l Recheck, Odd-Sized, Group, Transfer, EBSS, Special handling
◆ EBSS = Early Bag Storage System — for transfer bags arriving before departure time
◆ PIR = Property Irregularity Report — for lost/delayed/damaged baggage
◆ Montreal Convention 1999: governs airline liability for baggage — SDR 1,131 limit
◆ Mishandled baggage industry target: fewer than 3 bags per 1,000 passengers