NCAA Plans Nationwide RFID Baggage Tracking to Curb Missing and Misrouted Luggage
By Admin, Lagos
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for baggage handling across Nigerian airports in a move aimed at reducing cases of delayed, missing and misrouted luggage.
The initiative is expected to replace the current barcode-based baggage tracking system and give passengers greater visibility over their checked luggage throughout their journey.
The NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos.
According to Achimugu, baggage-related complaints remain the second-highest source of passenger dissatisfaction, coming only after complaints over flight delays.
He explained that the proposed RFID system would allow passengers to monitor their checked baggage in real time, from the point of check-in until arrival at their destination, through a mobile application.
Achimugu said the introduction of RFID technology would significantly improve baggage traceability and reduce the possibility of luggage being loaded onto the wrong aircraft.
He said passengers would also be able to confirm whether their bags had been loaded onto their flight before take-off and track their location if the luggage failed to arrive at the destination.
The NCAA official noted that the system would improve accountability among airlines and ground-handling companies while giving passengers better access to information about their luggage.
The technology is already being adopted by airports in different parts of the world as part of efforts to improve baggage management, reduce mishandling and strengthen passenger confidence in air travel.
The aviation regulator is currently reviewing existing regulations to make RFID baggage tracking mandatory for all airlines operating in Nigeria.
The implementation is being undertaken in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), ground-handling companies and airline operators.
The NCAA said the contract for the project is expected to be signed soon, with the regulator targeting nationwide implementation before the end of 2026.
If successfully deployed, the RFID system could provide Nigerian air travellers with a more transparent and reliable way of tracking their luggage while helping aviation stakeholders identify and address baggage-handling challenges more efficiently.