Aviation veterans team up to launch lost luggage service

TWO North West aviation sector professionals have launched a new business aimed at helping travellers locate lost luggage.

Donald McIntosh and Albert Chi have set up wefindbags.com, which is understood to be the first direct-to-consumer baggage protection and tracking service.

Mr McIntosh is a former director of Swissport, the second-largest baggage-handling company in the world and Mr Chi is the owner and director of Global Baggage Solutions, a business based at Manchester Airport, which traces and returns lost luggage on behalf of airlines.
 
Globally airlines lose more than 70,000 passenger bags per day. For an annual subscription fee, the new wefindbags service provides unique bag tags and stickers for five bags.

If a piece of luggage is mislaid, tags can be recognised by airport staff worldwide as all major airlines use the World Tracer baggage tracking system.

Wefindbags has access to this system, will locate the lost bag, and make sure it is efficiently returned. The passenger will receive progress updates via text message.

Mr McIntosh said: “I have known Albert for many years, he was a sub-contractor when I was at Swissport. We came up with the idea of wefindbags over a drink one night.

“If you are travelling from Manchester or Manilla to Los Angeles or Luxembourg and your bag goes missing, we can find it and get it back to you.

“I was a frequent flyer and to many such travellers lost bags are an occupational hazard. My worst experience was arriving on holiday in Toronto with two kids and none of the family’s four bags. The lack of information was the worst thing, and I knew there was a better way.”

Mr Chi adds: “The service is unique, as no other company has full access to World Tracer. No amount of insurance compensation can make up for the loss of a holiday, especially for those with sports kit such as golf clubs or skis”        
 
Wefindbags.com market both directly to the public, and through partners such as travel insurance providers and travel agents.

Based in an office at Manchester Airport station, Global Baggae Solutions has around 30 staff and also has operations at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.