George Nugent Travels

Travel is already stressful enough for the majority of travellers, so it is the job and responsibility of airports to ensure they offer as stress free an experience as possible for their customers.

Handling 11,250,211 passengers in 2022, Edinburgh Airport is the largest airport in Scotland, therefore, their responsibility to passengers is even more important when compared to the other three main international airports.

Despite this, passengers travelling through the airport both this summer and last summer have reported major delays in collecting their bags, and ultimately getting their baggage back from the airlines. With this impacting the airport and its reputation there has been some confusion between who is ultimately responsible for the issues at hand.

This post will explore the issues at the airport, who does what, and how much longer these issues are likely to continue.

Who are the main companies involved?

Below are the main companies involved in the issues at the airport and the roles they each play on the day-to-day running of an airport.

• Edinburgh Airport – They are responsible for providing the infrastructure within the airport terminal, this includes security screening equipment and baggage reclaim belts.
• Swissport – They are the largest baggage handlers at EDI and are responsible for getting your baggage from check-in to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the baggage belt. They also are responsible for providing things like steps to the aircraft.
• Menzies – They are the second largest baggage handlers at EDI and are responsible for getting your baggage from check-in to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the baggage belt. They also are responsible for providing things like steps to the aircraft.
• WFS – They are the baggage handlers for easyJet and processing their flights.

What’s Going on at Edinburgh Airport?

Simply put, the airport is stuck in a cycle that is looking difficult to break. Swissport have reported issues hiring staff at the airport. This isn’t their fault as Unite, the Union have reported a major rise in staff being abused and assaulted by passengers at the airport.

As this unacceptable rise in staff abuse is reported, people are less likely to apply for a job meaning the current staff have more work to do, leading to longer wait times for passengers.

As a result of staff issues, baggage is piling up in both airports arrivals halls and is taking longer than it should to be re-united with its owners.

Furthermore, the issues at Edinburgh Airport are being compounded by issues in other airports such as JFK, Paris CDG, Frankfurt and Dublin. With bags missing connecting flights to Edinburgh at these airports, staff are having to receive these at a later date and then try to reunite them with their owners.

Swissport, Menzies and Edinburgh Airport were all asked to comment on the situation, here are the responses;

A Swissport spokesperson: “We’re sorry to hear about these passengers’ experiences and are looking into what’s happened here, so that we can reunite them with their luggage as quickly as possible.”

Phil Lloyd, senior vice-president UK & Ireland for Menzies Aviation:

“Edinburgh Airport is currently experiencing an increase in unaccompanied baggage arriving on flights from other airports, which, by default, becomes the responsibility of ground handlers.

“We understand the distress and frustration this can cause passengers and we are working hard to minimise the impact baggage delays have on people.”

Edinburgh Airport: “The transportation, delivery and secure storage of baggage is the responsibility of handling agent companies which are contracted by airlines. As an airport we will continue to support our partners where we can, and this includes by sourcing and providing additional resource for them.”

Can Edinburgh Airport Really Do Nothing?

They can absolutely take measures to reduce the issues on baggage teams and to improve the reputation of the airport in the short term.

The airport can ask airlines to reduce flights to alleviate the issues in the terminal. This would involve airlines running less flights to the airport on a temporary basis until the situation is under control.

The reason this wound not be popular for Edinburgh Airport is two fold, firstly it makes them look unfit for purpose and as a result may loose out on new airlines and routes in the short term. They would also be responsible for compensating airlines due to a breach of contract, as some airlines may choose to fly elsewhere in Scotland. The biggest concern with that second point is will the airline come back to Edinburgh when the problem is over?

Cancelling flights because of staff shortages is nothing new in the UK, both Heathrow and Gatwick airport have cut flights due to staff issues.

Not to worry though, as Edinburgh Airport boss Gordan Dewar finally issued an apology (of sorts) to passengers saying that the issues should have been avoidable, and that people have waited too long for their bags.

That apology would have been fine if it was issued when the issues were first reported in the news, rather than waiting 6 weeks to issue it. Furthermore, the lack of any customer oriented response to complaints on social media further compounds travellers frustrations.

Is Edinburgh A Victim of It’s Own Success?

There is a very credible argument here, Edinburgh Airport has been such a success it has grown faster than it can keep up with.

The airport is already at maximum capacity in its security areas for the first wave of morning departures, meaning flights departing earlier or later in the morning to avoid the key departure period of 0600-0800.

Furthermore, the airport is already at capacity with regards to international arrivals late at night. With capacity being met, it gives weight to the argument being made by some to reduce flights to alleviate pressure.

These two images show that International Arrivals capacity is being met consistently on some days, putting the most pressure on baggage teams.

I Am Travelling From Edinburgh Airport Soon. What Do I Do?

If you can, try not to check a bag, after all if you loose your cabin bag then you should be asking yourself questions.

If you do need to check a bag, look at putting something like an air tag inside it, this allows you to track the bag at each step of the flight and see where in the world it is.

If the bag does not arrive, file a report with the airline, just search for your airline lost baggage policy. If you need to buy new clothes while waiting for your bag, keep hold of the receipt and claim the money back from the airline.