“I’ve been waiting for my suitcase for about three months!”

What a write up! I am finally traveling again after the Corona crisis. However, the great chaos experienced at Europe’s largest airports disturbed the passengers. For example, in London, or in Amsterdam, where the queues of those waiting extend all the way to the airport parking lot.

Blick visited Swissport at Zurich-Kloten Airport before the fall holidays. “We are ready for up to 90,000 passengers a day,” he says. “We’ve greatly increased our staffing and can meet daily peaks again.” This sounds reassuring.

Sometimes in Kloten, then again in Barcelona

But is everything okay? Blick reader Katharina B.* (53) from Dietlikon ZH “Not at all!” she says. “I’ve been waiting for my suitcase for almost three months!” complains the housewife.

return. She wanted to fly to Barcelona with her husband and son on July 17 and was looking forward to a few carefree days under the Spanish sun. He has since missed his suitcase.

“We paid 800 francs for three tickets. You can expect that you won’t lose my luggage anywhere,” she says. She reports to the hotline and has been delayed repeatedly since then.

“The suitcase is with me to Barcelona”

Sometimes the suitcase is in Kloten – “We unpacked again”. Then in Barcelona – “The suitcase is with us in Barcelona”. He submitted a search report to Swiss and Swissport on 4 October. The last message came from Swissport, luggage handler on 8 October: “We found your suitcase in Munich.” That’s what it says in an email that Blick has. Lufthansa Group, to which Switzerland belongs, operates a central reception center in Munich for luggage left on the road. But the good piece still hasn’t returned to Dietlikon.

“I am satisfied with 800 francs”

Katharina B. is fed up with unanswered registered letters and long waits on the phone. She just wants to finish things. “I’ll be satisfied with 800 francs in compensation,” she tells Blick. Then at least she would get the money back for her suitcase, sandals, sun hat, and swimsuit. But so far, no one has accepted their offer.

Blick confronted Swiss and Swissport about the incident. Katharina B. did not return the suitcase either. Swissport, “In case of lost baggage reported at a Lost and Found counter, ground handling providers such as Swissport are responsible for the first five days according to IATA regulations.” After that, the responsibility passes to the relevant airline. Therefore, a report should be made to Switzerland.

Gathered at Munich Airport

“Lufthansa Group luggage items lost during flights are collected at Munich Airport to find their owners,” says Swiss. Lost baggage that cannot be allocated to a passenger after three months is at the lowest level per thousand compared to the total baggage volume.

“Often lost luggage is found within 24 hours and delivered free of charge,” he continues. For data protection reasons, Switzerland cannot comment on the exception.

Katharina B. no longer believes her suitcase will show up again. “But I let myself be surprised. But the ignorance of Swiss and Swissport bothers me a lot.”