§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with(a) BA and (b) other carriers operating from UK airports concerning lost and misrouted luggage; and if he will make a statement. [137852]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Government have not been involved in any recent discussions with airlines regarding lost or misrouted luggage. However, all the major full service UK airlines have signed up to the European Voluntary Commitments on Air Passenger Rights, which were launched in February 2002. These contain non-legally binding commitments to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers.
Signatory airlines agree to make every reasonable effort to deliver mishandled bags to the passenger within 24 hours of their arrival at the final destination, free of charge. In addition, airlines undertake to offer immediate assistance sufficient to meet the reasonable short-term needs of passengers faced with missing baggage.
Where luggage has been lost, the 1929 Warsaw Convention places a general liability on the airline, although this liability is limited in respect of compensatory rights. The 1999 Montreal Convention will update the maximum level of damages payable for lost or damaged baggage to approximately £850 per passenger.