A peak in global travel compounded by other factors is causing delays in baggage clearance at destinations that Fiji Airways serves.
Fiji Airways confirms this as the sheer volume of customers passing through airports around the world has strained ground-handling services for all airlines, and guests connecting onto any Fiji Airways flights are also affected.
They say this worldwide crisis is further aggravated by third-party resourcing challenges and adverse weather.
They also say they are doing all within its power to ensure that guests receive their baggage on time, constantly communicating with a network of teams, external service providers and connecting airlines to ensure that these delays are minimised.
Fiji Airways says it is unfortunate that there are numerous factors contributing to bags not being delivered that are beyond the airline’s control.
Fiji Airways further adds, in many instances, airport baggage holding rooms are beyond capacity and thousands of bags are in queue for security clearance and processing before they can be reunited with guests and says this is a time-consuming process with many airlines being affected.
They say mandatory baggage screening and clearance at Auckland Airport in New Zealand is taking up to seven days and any bag identified for secondary screening will take an additional seven days to clear.
Fiji Airways states similar delays are being faced in Australia due to capacity issues faced by ground-handling service providers, while inclement weather in Canada is causing a backlog and compounding baggage delays.
They say the United States is also seeing a high number of flight cancellations due to the weather and this is affecting their guests connecting from other airlines.
Fiji Airways is pleading with customers connecting to their flights from these destinations to be patient and understanding in this matter of delays in receiving their bags.
Fiji Airways is advising customers to carry essentials, medication and spare clothing in their carry-on for the time being.
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