An Airport In Germany Advises Passengers To Ditch Black, Carry Colourful Suitcases: Here's Why
Those travelling to Germany are being advised to ditch black suitcases and kit themselves out with more colourful and eye-catching luggage instead to make locating them easier at airports struggling with baggage handling chaos.
Airport's advice to passengers
Stefan Schulte, the head of Frankfurt airport, has said the predominance of black suitcases has contributed to the difficulties faced by airlines and baggage handlers in recent weeks, because it was ¡°hard to distinguish them from each other¡±.
Schulte told German media his advice to passengers was to wherever possible bring hand luggage only, and failing that to use suitcases that would be easier to identify.
Frankfurt Airport spokesperson Thomas Kirner was quoted as saying, ¡°Many people travel with black suitcases on wheels which makes identifying them very time-intensive.¡±
Reason for the advisory
According to Kirner, the number of suitcases that had been misplaced or not reached their owners had run into the four-figure mark, despite a decrease in cases the last weeks. Reportedly, there are approximately 2,000 suitcases lying around at the Frankfurt airport currently, waiting to reach their destination.
While the airport has suggested travellers add labels with their names and addresses on their luggage, the police have advised against the practice, terming it a security hazard.
But why is this happening?
The airport is facing troubles at a time when the passenger flow has still not reached the pre-pandemic levels. If the levels do rise, the airport will have difficulties as at the peak of the pandemic, the top hierarchy had announced mass layoffs with nearly 4,000 employees losing their job.
The German economy, especially the private sector is growing at its lowest currently. The government is expected to ring in a slew measures to give it a boost. Airports form a major part of the economy and thus, Frankfurt airport may have to rehire some of the fired employees to cope with the scale and not lose any more suitcases.
Gastarbeiter, or "guest workers", from Turkey are also scheduled to come to Germany on short-term contracts to help with the labour shortfall, in particular in baggage handling roles.
However, the bilateral agreement signed earlier this month between Berlin and Ankara is being held up by strict verification guidelines that require a security check that takes about seven weeks, leading to speculation that the initiative might not happen.
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