Malaysia Airports: Untagged baggage incident an isolated case

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airports Bhd said the incident in which an untagged baggage made its way into an airplane was an isolated case.  

"We have investigated the incident and would like to clarify that the baggage in question was indeed tagged and screened at check-in," said Malaysia Airports.  

In a statement on Thursday, it said the airport's Baggage Handling System (BHS) is designed to be vigilant and that it also complies with international security standards.  

Malaysia Airports said the BHS is designed to detect untagged baggage, which would be sent to a separate sorter to be reconciled by the airlines.  

"The review of our CCTV footage confirms that the baggage had a tag while it travelled on the BHS conveyor to the chute, where it was picked up by airlines staff for loading onto the aircraft.  

"This baggage, which coincidentally belonged to a passenger who did not board the aircraft, was then removed from the aircraft," it said.

Malaysia Airports was responding to a letter sent to The Star by S. Somu which was published on Wednesday.  

In the letter, Somu said that when he was on board Malindo flight OD 320 on May 17, an airline employee found a yellow suitcase that was untagged.  

The suitcase was then brought into the plane by airport staff to locate the owner, but nobody came forward to claim it.  

"We believe this was an isolated incident where the tag was lost during the loading process to the aircraft.  

"We have highlighted the incident to the airline to improve on their process and prevent this from happening again," Malaysia Airports said.