Russia proposes allowing passengers to check their luggage themselves

The IAA proposes to amend federal aviation regulations, including the rules for the transportation of passengers, baggage and cargo, regulated by Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 82 of June 28, 2007.

In its explanatory note, the IAA points out that airports are already exploring the possibility of installing automatic baggage check-in systems using electronic tags. This will allow passengers who check-in online to avoid queues at check-in counters and check in their luggage themselves.

A representative of the Ministry of Transport said the initiative is being considered jointly with the airlines. Request letters were sent to major Russian airlines and airports.

According to a representative of the holding company Aeropuertos de las Regiones, the essence of the initiative is to equate electronic labels with paper labels. Currently, paper tags are placed on luggage at airports, but this occurs in the trunk and not at the check-in counter. In the future, paper labels may be completely a thing of the past.

Such a system is beneficial to all parties: airlines gain control over baggage allowances, airports optimize staff work, and passengers have the opportunity to check in baggage without the involvement of check-in employees, a representative explained. of the holding company.

Since July 2024, Yekaterinburg Airport has been testing a self-check-in and baggage delivery system developed by Airports of the Regions. More than 5,000 passengers have already used this service and other airports, including Moscow, are also showing interest, the representative said.

Sheremetyevo confirmed awareness of this initiative and its readiness to implement it in cooperation with airlines.

Fyodor Borisov, chief expert at the Higher School of Economics at the National Research University, stressed that this practice is already widespread in the world. Passengers can independently scan their boarding pass, receive a label, place it on their luggage and check it in, significantly speeding up pre-flight procedures.

Director of the Department of Transport and Logistics at Reksoft, Alexander Semenov, noted that the implementation of this system in Russia does not require significant effort. However, it is important to develop business processes to retrieve baggage using electronic tags and ensure staff are available to assist passengers.

The cost of air tickets for flights within Russia in the first half of 2024 increased by almost 20%, averaging 9,150 rubles. The head of the Ministry of Transport, Roman Starovoit, explains the increase in prices by the increase in demand and the increase in costs for airlines.