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Sharjah: Some passengers travelling through Sharjah International Airport have complained that they lost their baggage at the X-ray baggage scanner at the time of check in.
Gulf News received complaints that briefcases and other bags carrying valuables items were getting lost when passing through the scanner in the departure lounge.
The most recent report was made by Ansar Bin Usman, a resident of Umm Al Quwain, who was upset about the way authorities handle lost baggage.
Unattended valuables
"My friend was travelling back to India and agreed to take my laptop and pass it over to my family. He passed his baggage through the scanner and when he walked to other side to collect it, the laptop was missing," said Bin Usman.
"The authorities refused to take any responsibility and said that I had to file a complaint at Al Hera Police Station," he said.
However, airport officials stated all valuable items found unattended at the airport are immediately sent to Sharjah Police Headquarters, where passengers can then collect their items.
"But if another passenger collected the baggage by mistake then there is no way that we can trace it unless it is handed over to security staff at the airport," said an airport official.
Faheem Sulaimani, Manager of Baggage Services for Sharjah Aviation Services, explained that all lost baggage found by security staff is moved to the lost and found room at the airport.
"If perishable items are found inside the baggage and is not claimed within 12 hours, the airport authorities will hand it over to the customs official to destroy the goods," he said.
Sulaimani pointed out that there is a 70 per cent recovery rate for all lost baggage.
There are up to 50 flights a day and almost 70 per cent of them are Air Arabia flights, according to airport officials.
Have you ever lost your luggage? How did it affect your travel plans? Were you fairly compensated for your loss? What more can the authorities do to avoid such incidents? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I am writing on behalf of my sister-in law who lost her certificate in the x-ray baggage scanner. Along with other baggage she placed her hand bag which contains all her original documents and a camera inside. She was going for an interview in Kuwait through Sharjah Airport on the beginning of this month. After placing her luggage she went to collect it from the other end but she could not find her handbag.
Amina Mohamed
Ajman,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 10:41
When I was travelling to Kuwait with my wife on November 5th this happened to me. I lost my wife's hand baggage in the first screening in Sharjah Airport. She is a medical doctor and all the documents she owned were in that bag. My wife was crying and running here and there asking for help. We did not find the bag till this day.
Mansour Mohammad
AJMAN,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 10:24
I can understand what Ansar Bin Usman went through. This is a fear I always have when I travel.
Sapana Patil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 10:24
I lost my baggage last year coming from Kathmandu. I complained that I lost some costly clothes. They paid me an amount that was way less than what I have lost.
Kamal Belbase
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 10:21
This story happened to me, when I was travelling last September to Trivandrum. When I reached Trivandrum airport I realised that I was carrying someone else's luggage and my luggage was lost. I then realised that I got the wrong bag from the X-Ray scanner.
Benoy
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 09:56
Yes, I was once one of the passangers who lost luggage. I went back to the airport right after I realised my luggage is missing. There was no use though. My lost bags were never found.
Shirly Briones
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:47
My cousin was travelling back to India. He passed his baggage through the scanner and when he walked to other side to collect it, the handbag was missing.
Ismail Arimbra
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:38
Yes, this is true. I have lost my luggage on the scanner at Sharjah Airport on 30 Sept 2008. I have complained to both airport authorities and to the police but no action has been taken.
E.K.Chandramohan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:34
I travelled to India last year through Sharjah Airport. I lost my luggage in the scanner machine during check-in. I was running from post to pillar to get my luggage back but there was no help from anybody.
Saran
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:15
Last week after travelling through Sharjah Airport I found out that the lock on one of my bags was broken and half of my luggage was missing.
soniya muthukumar
sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:09
Sharjah Airport authorities still need to improve their baggage services.
Zubair
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: December 01, 2008, 08:06
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