Tests Show RFID Accuracy Rate Of 99.9 Percent In Baggage Tracking

  • Dec 10, 2009

The airline industry now has another well documented use for RFID -- baggage tracking.

For the first time, several RFID tags designed specifically for airline baggage tracking provided nearly 100 percent read accuracy across global RFID frequency testing. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) each piece of lost luggage costs between $90 and $100 in direct costs.

In an effort to help airlines and airports choose the optimal tags and eliminate this unnecessary expense, ODIN created the first scientific RFID study for airline baggage tracking, the RFID Baggage Tag Benchmark.

The benchmark is designed to help airports and airlines understand the key performance characteristics behind successful RFID baggage tagging solutions and how current tag offerings stack up to scientific scrutiny.  

"We've had airports contact us about using stimulus money to modernize baggage systems in an effort to make their airports more attractive to international carriers and cut costs at the same time,” said Patrick J. Sweeney II, ODIN’s founder. “Airlines and airports must replace 35 year-old barcodes, but don't know what RFID systems are best.  ODIN’s RFID Baggage Tag Benchmark provides answers.

“Already a dozen airports globally have adopted RFID for baggage tracking. We expect half the airports worldwide to be using RFID in the next five years. It is a very fast return on investment, especially since more than 10 percent of all baggage errors are caused by unreadable barcodes whereas over 98 percent of all RFID tagged baggage today is read properly the first time. For Class B airports or major carriers, RFID can provide a pay back in less than 12 months.  In the past the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has made funding for these projects available for airport authorities because of the faster access to tagged bags and enhanced security. “

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