Responding to Muscat Daily's May 6 report (Oman Air struggling to store lost baggage), the national carrier has said that the bags were stored at its Headquarters II in Seeb as there has been a considerable increase in their numbers.
Oman Air attributed the rising number of lost baggage to the increasing number of destinations it operates flights to.
In a statement to Muscat Daily, Philippe Georgiou, Oman Air's chief officer (corporate affairs) said, "With increased traffic through Muscat airport and on Oman Air flights, it is normal that the number of lost baggage increases proportionally.
The baggage identified in the article refer to those which were being opened at headquarters for update and identification."
As reported by the newspaper, the airline said that its employees were opening bags to remove perishable goods.
"According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, any such baggage can be opened after five days, in the presence of an independent witness, to remove perishable items, and to identify the baggage owner.
There is no risk of damage or theft, since all valuables are handled within our logging system and kept in a safe location, again in the presence of an independent witness," Georgiou added.
© Muscat Daily 2012
