Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to deploy RFID technology to combat baggage mishandling at airports

This technology, unveiled at a briefing for aviation stakeholders, aims to track luggage from check-in to arrival. Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stated that baggage handling is a major source of passenger complaints, second only to flight delays. The proposed RFID system would allow passengers to monitor their bags via an application, showing their location at various stages.

It would also prevent bags from being sent to incorrect destinations by flagging discrepancies and improve how airlines respond to missing baggage by providing a record of the bag's last known location. While airlines support the initiative, they have raised concerns about integration with existing systems, infrastructure, human error, and implementation costs, including the potential need to replace current tagging equipment. Aviation 360 Solutions, the contractor, explained that the system would use multiple scanning points to create a digital record of each bag's movement.

The NCAA emphasizes that successful implementation will require cooperation from all stakeholders, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, airlines, and ground handlers, as the NCAA does not own airport infrastructure. The project is expected to begin later this year, ai