Amadeus has confirmed it is working with air transport communications specialist SITA to empower Amadeus Altéa customers to offer real-time baggage tracking information to passengers.

The travel technology partner hopes to offer worldwide baggage reconciliation to passengers, while reducing the costs associated with mishandled baggage.

Altéa Baggage Tracking is based on the integration of SITA’s leading baggage messaging technology with the passenger and baggage servicing capabilities of Amadeus Altéa Departure Control.

SITA BagMessage is a unique service used by more than 500 airlines and close to 200 major airports and is the most comprehensive source of information on baggage movements globally.

The result of the collaboration is a single, integrated environment which allows airlines to provide passengers with real-time status updates regarding the location of their baggage through multiple channels.

“This is an area where technology can make a real difference, and Amadeus’ and SITA’s vision for the airport is to deliver solutions based on collaboration and data sharing between all relevant parties, including airlines, airports and ground handlers,” said Julia Sattel, vice president airline IT, Amadeus.

“Our work with SITA shows how sophisticated technology can deliver real improvements to the passenger experience.”

The first phase will cover 54 airports worldwide involving integration between the Customer Management module of Altéa DCS and airport baggage handling systems, so that baggage can be tracked from the point of check-in throughout the journey.

The second phase will involve integration with the Flight Management module of Altéa DCS in order to communicate precise information on baggage for load and balance control.

Ilya Gutlin, vice president SITA Airport Solutions, said: “The air transport community is working together to reduce the rate of mishandled luggage.

“This collaboration with Amadeus is an example of SITA’s Intelligent Airport vision and how SITA is helping to improve the experience for the passengers.

“SITA BagMessage is the most comprehensive global source for baggage information and in the future passengers will have real time updates on their luggage available to them when SITA’s technology is used.”