Airlines criticised for poor baggage handling

The Air Transport Users' Council has criticised airlines for the way that they have looked after their passengers' baggage in recent years.

James Fremantle, the consumer watchdog's industry affairs manager, said that airlines' performance in the past two years with regards to luggage has been "pretty poor".

Mr Fremantle made his comments following research by Post Office Travel Insurance which found that nearly one in ten (nine per cent) UK travellers are worried that their bags will be damaged during transit.

Some 13 per cent of the respondents said their luggage has been damaged or items have been stolen from their bags in the last three years.

Being able to keep an eye on one's baggage is one of the main advantages of travelling by ferry for many holidaymakers.

Irish Ferries recently announced that it was taking part in a campaign to highlight the benefits of ferry travel, which focuses on the absence of baggage restrictions, the freedom of taking a car on holiday and other aspects.

The Irish operator offers ferries from Holyhead to Dublin and from Rosslare to Roscoff, among other services.

Written by Mark Robinson