Manchester Airport has taken the initiative in running a dual-branded airport trial in conjunction with CallUma the travel service specialists, to provide all customers with durable trackable luggage tags.

The luggage tags are available at the highly visable distribution points placed throughout Terminal 2 where a dedicated team are on hand to assist customers with information and enquiries. The tags include identity protection and an enhanced lost luggage recovery tracking service.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, commented: “The airport is focused upon providing customers with enhanced services that are over and above standard practice and we are delighted to be working with CallUma on this exciting project.

“A 40-day trial has shown that the public is very receptive to the service with an impressive 5000 passengers purchasing the luggage tags while travelling outbound through Terminal 2.”

Tony Partridge, CallUma’s Chief Executive welcomed the news saying: “The trial really allows us to fully understand the customer journey and gain an invaluable insight into some of the problems and fears experienced by air travellers. Customers really do want to put luggage tags on their bags and have done so for many many years, sadly life has changed and we now have to be very cautious about displaying personal information on our belongings.

“CallUma’s single trip tags provide total peace of mind for the customer safe with the knowledge that they have been proactive in doing everything they can to protect their luggage and identity”.

With the use of CallUma’s worldwide industry-recognised tracking symbol and unique customer tracking number, owners of misplaced or lost items can be quickly identified and reunited with their belongings safely and securely with the minimum of fuss.

CallUma has spent the last two years building relationships with baggage handlers and ground handling agencies worldwide in a bid to help improve lost luggage. Through CallUma’s vast multilingual infrastructure they are assisting overseas baggage handlers, airport police, rail staff and many others to quickly identify the rightful owners of lost or misplaced items.

Partridge comments: “CallUma saw the importance of providing a service that can really take the stress out of lost luggage, as part of the service we deal with foreign speaking luggage handlers on the customer’s behalf and keep the customer informed throughout the process 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year”.

CallUma launched the new luggage tag design in November 2009 and has already received orders for more than 10 million tags from leading travel companies who instantly saw the benefits of providing their customers with the new tags.

Customers love to attach something to their luggage, a piece of tinsel or strip of colourful material quite often so that they can identify their bags on the carousel, although this seems like a good idea. It can make life more difficult for the baggage tracking process and can often get caught and cause damage. The best solution is to remove all old arline and any other tags prior to travelling and stick with just the airline barcoded tag and one durable luggage tag appropriate for the trip. CallUma also advises  that passengers tag other items such as laptops, pushchairs, golf clubs, skis and even large televisions as one client was seen trying to check in.

Partridge added: “Millions of travellers run the risk of not only identity theft but also turning their homes into a potential target for criminals whilst they are away on holiday, this is due to people displaying personal details on luggage tags for all to see. CallUma are proud to provide a solution and look forward to working with all of the airports in the Manchester Airports Group portfolio and many others.

Some of CallUma client’s experiences: “I would like to inform you that with your excellent help, I have received my delayed luggage. I found the service to be world class and would recommend you to any passenger. Thank you”
Received 29 April 2010 Mr B.M. -Manchester     

A customer recently flew from Manchester to New York.  On arrival at the hotel one of the client’s bags was left in the taxi by hotel staff whilst removing them on the clients’ behalf. CallUma contacted the taxi cab firm with details of the lost suitcase, once it had been recovered arrangements were made to return it to the client at his hotel.
29 March 2010