SA baggage theft 'opportunity'

Cape Town - Baggage theft at South African airports has become a business opportunity for a British courier service.

First Luggage has just introduced a high-security luggage service for international travellers between Britain and South Africa.

First Luggage has already established itself in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, the Far East and Australasia. South Africa is its first foray into Africa.

First Luggage managing director Gideon Kasfiner says South African airports are often subject to luggage-handling problems, including theft.

Since its establishment in 2004 First Luggage has lost only one item of luggage among the more than 250 000 it has delivered to date.

First Luggage handles the baggage through airfreight channels instead of heavy-traffic passenger terminals, using FedEx, the international courier. Baggage is electronically monitored up to 20 times during its journey.

Passengers only need to carry hand luggage and can therefore avoid the queues in crowded baggage and customs halls.

An estimated 98% of the 2.25bn items of luggage handled by airports worldwide last year arrived safely at their destinations. The 2% that went missing however amounts to 45m suitcases.

When the baggage-handling system at Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 5 broke down earlier this year, First Luggage bookings soared 400%. Baggage-handler strikes at international airports have helped boost its popularity as well.

But the service is, nevertheless, the province of the rich. According to First Luggage's website it will cost you £309 (R5 127) to send a 30kg suitcase by this means.

- Sake24