Airline Baggage Compensation vs Airport Lost & Found

When luggage goes missing during travel, passengers often confuse two entirely different departments: the Airline's Baggage Service and the Airport's Lost & Found Office. Knowing the difference determines whether you receive financial compensation or how you retrieve your physical property.

1. Airline Baggage Service (Checked Luggage)

If you check a suitcase at the check-in desk and it fails to arrive at the baggage carousel, the responsibility lies entirely with the **Airline**.

• • What to do: Report the loss before leaving the arrivals hall and obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
• • Compensation: Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for up to ~1,288 SDR (approx $1,700 USD) for damaged, delayed, or lost luggage.
• • Recovery: The airline will usually courier the bag to your home/hotel at their own expense once located.

2. Airport Lost & Found (Unchecked / Hand Baggage)

If you leave an item at a security bin, lounge, departure gate, toilet, or retail shop, this is considered **unchecked property**.

• • Who is responsible: The Airport Operator (not the airline). They catalog items and hold them at the airport terminal.
• • Compensation: Airports do not compensate you for items you forgot or misplaced.
• • Recovery: Airports **never** courier items to passenger addresses. You must collect them in person or send an authorized agent.

How ParcelGo Global Bridges the Gap

If your item is with the **Airport Lost & Found** or if an airline refuses to ship a delayed checked bag to your home, ParcelGo Global acts as your local agent. We collect it directly from the airport terminal counter and handle international or domestic express shipping to your door.