WorldTracer is currently used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers across around 2,800 airports worldwide, making the new feature a potentially significant step toward faster and more transparent baggage recovery
Airlines may soon find delayed baggage faster as passenger-shared location data becomes part of the recovery process. Global air transport technology provider SITA has integrated Google Find Hub location-sharing technology into WorldTracer, the system used by airlines worldwide to track and recover delayed luggage.
The integration allows passengers to share the location of their bags directly with airlines if their luggage is delayed. Many travellers already use personal tracking devices linked to their smartphones. When a bag goes missing, they can generate a secure link through Find Hub and send it to the airline. Staff can then view the bag’s location within WorldTracer, helping them narrow down the search area and recover the item more quickly.
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Traditionally, airlines have relied mainly on baggage scans at airports and data exchanges between airlines to locate missing luggage
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Passenger-shared location data provides an extra source of information, helping airline teams identify where a bag might be when it fails to arrive at its destination
Importantly, travellers remain in full control of the information they share. The location link is encrypted, can only be accessed by authorised staff, and automatically expires after a set time. Passengers can also stop sharing the location at any moment.
According to SITA, the move reflects growing passenger expectations for greater visibility of their baggage during travel. Clearer tracking can also help airlines reduce compensation costs, ease pressure on customer service teams, and avoid reputational damage when bags are delayed.
The wider aviation industry has already made progress in reducing baggage problems. Data from the SITA 2025 Baggage IT Insights report shows mishandled baggage rates have fallen by 67 per cent over the past two decades, even as global passenger numbers have more than doubled.
