Hundreds of pieces of missing luggage held at Edinburgh Airport facility as Swissport work through 'backlog'

Hundreds of missing bags belonging to flight passengers are being held in storage areas at Edinburgh Airport, with some people reporting waits of several weeks for their luggage to be returned.

Baggage handler Swissport are holding the items at a facility on site while they work through a “backlog”.

There are wider issues across the aviation industry at present, including staff shortages, increased demand for summer holidays, and thousands of cancellations which have in turn had a “knock-on effect”.

Swissport have insisted that they are working hard to process bags as quickly as they can.

Edinburgh airport domestic baggage reclaim this evening. pic.twitter.com/LqSk1Bgp6Z
— Andy Twaddle (@ATwadds) July 3, 2022

A Swissport spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, a significant number of bags from a range of airports and operators are not being loaded onto connecting flights into Edinburgh.

“Instead, they are arriving on different, later flights after most passengers have already left the airport. The knock-on effect of these missed baggage connections has created a backlog of luggage to be processed.

“We understand this is a really frustrating situation for passengers and we’re working closely with our airline and airport partners to securely process these bags as fast as we can.”

Edinburgh Airport said that they are doing what they can to support handling agents in processing missing baggage.

They added that while they appreciate that the situation is “frustrating”, passengers are urged to contact their airlines and handling agents for assistance.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “This is a challenging time for the entire aviation industry and we know airlines and handling agents have been working hard to reunite passengers with their baggage.

“We’re doing what we can to support them in this, and this includes access to and help in transporting bags to secure designated storage areas on campus which is now allowing them to process items and repatriate them with their customers.

“While we do appreciate the situation and attempts to contact airlines and handling agents will be frustrating, what we cannot accept is abusive behaviour towards our staff.

“We will continue to help passengers where and when possible and we encourage everyone to be kind and considerate, especially when staff are trying to signpost them to the appropriate partners. We would remind passengers they need to contact their airline and handling agent if they have any queries relating to baggage.”