Emirates has reported its busiest-ever year for baggage handling, setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency between April 2024 and March 2025, as global travel continues its robust recovery.
The Dubai-based airline managed over 2.8 million bags per month — averaging 100,000 pieces of luggage daily — across its network of 140 destinations worldwide. This marks a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase in baggage volumes, making it the airline’s highest annual figure to date.
Despite the growing complexity of international travel, Emirates maintained a remarkable baggage handling success rate of 99.9 percent at its hub in Dubai International Airport (DXB). This performance cements Emirates’ position as aviation’s global leader in baggage reliability.
The airline’s mishandling rate — defined as delayed, lost, or misplaced baggage — stood at just 1.4 per 1,000 bags in Dubai, a figure nearly 30 times lower than some global counterparts. Of the rare instances where baggage is delayed, 91 percent of affected bags are reunited with their owners within 72 hours — an impressive statistic given the international nature of Emirates operations.
Emirates also leads in lost-and-found services. In Dubai, 94 percent of valuable lost items such as passports, wallets, and mobile phones are recovered and returned within 60 minutes, thanks to a dedicated retrieval team operating within Emirates’ Terminal 3 hub.
New innovations in baggage handling
In 2024, Emirates launched Emirates Bag Connect, a digital tool available through the Emirates app and website. The feature allows customers to track their luggage in real-time, offering visibility from check-in to arrival.
A newly introduced service for tracking mishandled baggage deliveries is now live at 80 international stations within the Emirates network.
At Dubai’s hub alone, from the 2.8 million monthly bags processed, around 2,300 are found without baggage tags. The airline, in collaboration with ground-handling partner dnata, manages to recover and load 80 percent of these untagged bags onto their respective flights before departure, minimizing disruption to passengers.
Industry-leading systems and training
Emirates credits its success to a combination of state-of-the-art technology, strategic investment, and a highly trained workforce. The airline has invested millions into bespoke software systems that provide real-time visibility and oversight of baggage journeys.
From check-in to final loading, each bag interacts with a series of touchpoints—from porters and scanning teams to baggage containers and movable dollies. Emirates’ central “Boss Room” oversees the operation with advanced security and tracking systems.
The airline’s ground staff, both in Dubai and globally, undergo rigorous training in the latest systems, protocols, and customer service standards, including simulations and hands-on practice to ensure consistency and excellence.
Seamless operations at scale
As the world’s largest international airline, Emirates operates out of one of the globe’s busiest hubs, relying on close coordination with dnata and Dubai Airports to ensure operational excellence. This level of collaboration enables the airline to deliver a seamless travel experience — not just for its passengers, but also for the millions of bags that journey with them each year.
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