Travellers complain of missing items from checked luggage

A businessman who frequently travels out of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) is calling on the airport authorities to urgently review their procedures for searching checked luggage.

The businessman, a Vincentian, made this call after an item he had packed in his luggage went missing, following which he learned that others had similar experiences.

In an email to the AIA, the businessman said on June 11, he travelled on LIAT 560 to Dominica via Barbados. At the AIA, his bags were tagged straight to Barbados, so when he got to Barbados, he did not have to clear customs and his bags were transferred from one Liat aircraft to another. On arrival in Dominica, he observed his bags being loaded on the trailer and offloaded on the conveyer.

To his dismay, when he got to the hotel in Dominica, a sealed box of perfume which had been packed in his luggage was open and the contents missing. He said there was no note in his bag indicating that it had been searched.

“As a concerned citizen and regular traveller through AIA, I am bringing this matter to your attention so that the matter could be investigated and appropriate measures put in place to protect both the traveller and the reputation of our blessed country,” the businessman wrote.

Last week, Vincentian Carl Kirby, who resides in the United Kingdom, complained on his Facebook page that when he got to Barbados en route to the UK, he discovered the locks cut on his bags and an Ipad, two bottles of rum and a bottle of vodka missing.

Kirby, originally from Barrouallie, said on Facebook that he made a report to Liat in Barbados, and while he didn’t mind so much losing the alcohol, he was upset about the loss of the Ipad.

On June 1, a caller to a local radio programme complained that a relative who had recently travelled through the airport was in tears after discovering that her chocolate and ‘black wine’ were missing.

Neither Kirby nor the June 1 caller indicated that a note had been left in the luggage in question, showing that the bags had been searched.

SEARCHLIGHT reached out to the AIA, who, in a release issued Wednesday, said in order to protect all passengers, the AIA Aviation Security is required by law to inspect all checked luggage.

“This means all carry-ons and baggage sent on to the aircraft. After check-in, luggage en route

to the aircraft must go through the scanning room,” the release said.

The release said “At the check-in desk, passengers are notified by the Flight Agent as well as via the intercom of restrictions on liquids and gels. Additionally there is signage at strategic points that instruct on restricted items.”

In March, 2017, the AIA issued a release stating that prohibited items when travelling include alcoholic beverages exceeding 70 per cent by volume (140 per cent proof), which will be confiscated. 

This, however, does not explain the claims of missing perfume, chocolate and wine.

Wednesday’s release from the AIA said all checked in luggage is scanned in the scanning room and if a piece of luggage is flagged as being suspicious, it will be searched.

“If the bag is locked, regrettably the lock will be cut open. AIA is not liable for damage to locks resulting from this necessary security precaution. The security search is documented for safety and quality assurance purposes. An ‘AIA Checked by Security’ search slip is then placed in the bag,” the release said.

However, a common complaint of persons whose bags were opened is that no note or search slip had been placed in their bags. 

According to the release, the ‘AIA Checked by Security’ slip will display a standard explanation for the search, in keeping with Appendix 45, ICAO Doc 8973, 8 edition and concludes with a code that relates to the officer who conducted the search. 

AIA CHANNEL FOR LODGING COMPLAINTS 

The AIA, in Wednesday’s release, invited customers to give them feedback.

“If there is a complaint, please feel free to send an email specifically to aiacustomerquery@svg-airport.com. In order to address the complaint effectively

the following information is essential: Name of passenger; Flight number and carrier; Date and time of departure; Specify complaint. 

The release, issued by Glender Francois, AIA manager for marketing, public relations and customer service, said all complaints are fully investigated.

“Complaints must reach the attention of AIA within 14 days of travel. Our Customer Service personnel will respond within 48 hours. Please note that AIA is required by law to adhere to safety precautions that are necessary for the well-being of all passengers. Any prohibited items that are found in checked-in luggage can and will be confiscated by AIA Aviation Security. We ask that travelers kindly be guided accordingly.”