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BAGGAGE HANDLING PROCEDURES

1 General

  Definition

  Baggage means such articles, effects and other personal property of a passenger as are necessary or appropriate for wear, use, comfort  or  convenience in connection with his trip.

LOTUS AIR  is not liable for damage to fragile or perishable articles, money, jewelry, silverware, valuables, samples or cameras.

  Baggage handling is very important for comfort of our passengers following points must take place to avoid mishandling  - missrouting and damage  of baggage. 

                               n     Type the baggage according to the flight and destination

                               n     Secure that name labels are stocked on the baggage’s

                               n     Recheck and confirm destination .

                               n     Use limited release tags for unsuitable, damaged or frigate                    baggage’s

                               n     Secure that every passenger must carry his own bags

                               n     Pay attention to heavy hand bags during boarding

2  Normal Baggage

The free baggage allowance for checked and unchecked baggage is determined  by the ticket fare paid and not by the class actually traveled .  

3  Hand Baggage / Carry on Item

     n   Each item carried in a cabin must be stowed in a location that is capable of          restraining it

     n   Weight limitations placard on or adjacent to stowage's must not be exceeded

     n   Under seat stowage must not be used unless the seat is equipped with a           restraint bar and the baggage is of such size that it may adequately be            restrained by this equipment .

    n  Items must not be stowed in toilets or against bulkheads that are incapable of restraining articles against movement forwards , sideways or upwards unless the bulkheads carry a  placard specifying the greatest mass that may be placed there .

Hand Baggage / Carry on Items

For reasons of safety and comfort no item should measure more than 45x35x15 cm. Weight not to exceed 5 kgs.

  n    Baggage placed in lockers must not prevent doors from being closed securely.

  n    Baggage must not be placed where it can impede access to   emergency equipment.

Item carried in passenger or crew compartment (e.g., hand baggage of crew or passenger , each item of galley equipment , each serving cart not in use. Any medical or other apparatus providing in flight medical aid for a passenger ) shall be secured in such a way as not to become a hazard by shifting under the appropriate load factors corresponding to the ultimate inertia forces specified in the emergency landing condition of type certification

The secure stowage of hand baggage , as prescribed in above , limits by inference , the permissible size and weight of hand baggage .

These limits very of course each aircraft type/cabin layout combination . The company and its handling agent (s) shall brief passengers at check-in by means of placards/posters or orally, upon the maximum size and weight of hand baggage, where practicable , a receptacle should serve as a gauge.

When boarding is in progress ground staff and , at the aircraft , crew members shall visually scan the hand baggage held by passengers - in case check-in personnel were bypassed - and, where such baggage exceeds the allowance politely deny the passenger access to the aeroplane until such baggage has been given up to be stowed in a baggage/cargo hold or suitable place outside of the aeroplane’s cabin .

Where , in exceptional cases a passenger is prepared to pay for an extra seat in order to carry extremely valuable baggage (e.g., antique musical instruments , works of art etc.) acceptance is only permitted if the safety and comfort of other passengers will not be imparted and if the size of such baggage permits it to be secured on the seat in such a manner as to prevent movement forward , sideways or upwards under crash impact sufficient to induce the ultimate inertia forces specified in the emergency landing condition of type certification .

In addition to the one piece of hand-baggage ,

The following items will be carried free per passenger :

  n   1 overcoat wrap or blanket

  n   1 small lady’s handbag or small wrist bag or small bag with shoulder -strap

  n    1 seeing eye/ hearing dog

  n    1 umbrella or walking stick

  n    1 small camera and/or binoculars

  n    1 infant’s carrying basket and/or baby stroller /pushbuggy ,but only in cargo compartment.

  n    a reasonable amount of reading material for the flight

  n    for an infant ,infant’s foods for consumption during the flight

  n    for an incapacitated passenger dependent upon

  n    1 wheelchair ( cargo compartment )

  n    1 pair crutches

  n    self operated dialectic equipment 

  n    other prosthetic device. 

4  Excess Baggage  

INTENTIONALLY  LEFT  BLANK

LOTUS AIR is not obliged to transport pets, high value items, heavy excess baggage or sporting apparatus without prior confirmation , if this not the case , the pet is subject to space available transportation .

5  Restricted Articles as / in Baggage

Restricted Articles as defined in the IATA Restricted Articles Regulations such as those listed below shall not be accepted for Carriage even if within or part of Passenger Baggage.

     a-  Briefcases and attach cases with installed alarm devices

     b-  Compressed gases (flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) such as                  camping gas

     c-  Corrosive materials ( such as acids, alkalis and wet cell batteries.

     d-  Etiologic agents

     e-  Explosives, munitions , firearms , fireworks, flares

      f-  Flammable liquids and solids (such as lighter or heating fuels, matches and articles which are easily ignited).

     g-  Irritating materials

     h-  Magnetized materials

      i-   Oxidizing materials (such as bleaching powder and peroxides)

      j-   Poisons

     k-  Radioactive materials

      l-   Other restricted articles such as mercury or noxious materials as listed in the           IATA ‘ restricted Articles Regulations ‘

6  Specific items / articles as  / in baggage

The following items are occasionally carried by passengers as/in baggage; this list does not claim to be complete and will be updated by experience . Unless specifically said otherwise , these items must be accounted against the passenger’s free baggage allowance .       

Ammunition             Only small caliber ammunition for hunting and sporting     guns in small quantities may be carried as checked            baggage ( never as/in hand- baggage ) Must be securely boxed e.g. original packing .  

Arms                       Arms and any items which can be used as weapons must                                    not be permitted to be taken into the passenger cabin .

                               Passengers may carry hunting or sporting arms exclusively                                 as/in checked baggage which is loaded in the cargo                               compartment.  The arms must be unloaded and packed in an                               unbreakable container (e.g. original gun case ) Passengers                               have to observe all regulations for the import and transit of                              arms and weapons for the transit as well as destination                              country.

       Exception : Bodyguard upon arrival at the aircraft the bodyguard has to                                        hand-over his weapon.  Unloaded and secured to the captain it                               is up to the decision of the captain where the weapon has to be                               located during the flight ( either cockpit or hold )

Batteries            Wet cell batteries will not be accepted for carriage as baggage

Battery driven             

wheelchair             Carriage only permitted with dry battery or Non -spoilable type                                   of battery in which case, prior to loading, cables must be                                   removed , battery and battery contacts must be insulated                                   Non-spoilable type of battery : Filled with a jelly type                                   electrolyte or wet cell battery with specially designed  filling                                  and venting devices mounted on the filler holes, which                                  completely prevent any leakage .

Bicycles                Acceptable as checked baggage

                               For loading :

                                                                          n     Pedals must be fumed inside and

                                                                          n     Handle must be fumed-in parallel to      

                                           frame .

Oxygen apparatus     Providing oxygen supply to a passenger empty bottles will only be  accepted  as   checked  baggage.  Upon request       LOTUS AIR  will  provide  oxygen  supply to  a passenger during flight if  the passenger has  this  requested  via  the tour operator  to LOTUS AIR .

Pram etc .                    Shall be checked as checked baggage ;must be foldable                                            and  folded ( tie together so as to prevent unfolding )

Television Sets         TV’s  may in  principal be carried as baggage  but due to                                       risk of implosion must properly be packed in unbreakable                                       packing (e.g. original trade packing )

Skin diving 

Equipment                Compressed air bottles (incl. Spare bottles ) will only be

                                    accepted as checked baggage when completely empty .

                                    The passenger shall be requested to demonstrate this by

                                    opening the valve .

Wheelchair             For a passenger dependent upon it, it will be carried free of                                   charge .

* See also under ‘ battery driven wheelchair ‘  above

Note : Do not operate portable radio receiver , telephone, compact disk player etc. In the passenger cabin during flight .

  7  Lost and Found  

7.1     General

To give a good service in lost and found , do not delay all correspondence and get in contact with as much as possible . Delivery always correct information to the passenger. Please always follow the regulations .

Note : While preparing the PIR do not forget to write the weight and contents of the lost piece.

7.2     Missing Baggage Procedures           

                          n    Use the standard Property irregularity Report (PIR 

                          n    Use the Baggage Identification Chart

                          n    Send a tracing MISSING message to all stations in passenger’s itinerary.

NOTE :    All Lost & Found messages must be copied to CAIBZXH.

Distribute  PIR's as follows :

                  Damaged PIR :                    Original to passenger

                                                               1^st copy for issuing station

                                                               2^nd copy to CAIBZXH

                   Missing PIR  :                     Original for issuing station

                                                               1^st  copy to passenger

                                                               2^nd  copy to CAIBZXH

In any case of a loss of checked baggage a property Irregularity Report ( PIR ) must be completed if not complete PIR upon arrival will only be followed as courtesy .

All files must be followed - up  by handling agencies only one week . If passenger’s baggage is not found in one week . Handling agencies must hand over the file to CAIBZXH with following documents .  

PIR Report

Passengers claim letter comprising a list of missing items and value .

  n     Photocopy of the Ticket .  

  n     Photocopy of the flight Manifest .

  n     Tracing msg

  n     Baggage identification tag(s)

And must inform the passenger that the search will continue by LOTUS AIR, CAIRO  until the second month of occurrence .

  7.2.1  Payment Procedures of Missing Baggage :

If after a period of one month the missing items cannot be located claim will be settled on the basis of legal liability ‘ 20 US$ or equivalent for each kgs

7.3     Damaged Baggage

If on arrival at a station a passenger reports that his/her baggage has been damaged the station concerned should issue a PIR  indicating the damage . Payments will be handled via Head Office " Accounts Dept. " 

If a passenger files a claim after having left the airport he/she has to know LOTUS AIR CAIRO does not make any payments for damaged baggage .

  7.3.1  Damage on Checked Baggage :

Payment for damages on checked baggage may be made locally by the representative of the tour operator or the station . If no local payments are possible , damage on checked baggage will be settled by LOTUS AIR CAIRO . If baggage arrives damaged , check first if the piece has been , checked-in damaged at the point of departure already (Limited release tag )  

If baggage has been damaged during the flight ,’ Damage Pilferage Report ‘( DPR) must be completed upon arrival .

In case the suitcase can be repaired , by passenger will get the costs for repair or a reasonable sum for the loss of value of his suitcase .

Alternatively , the damaged suitcase can be replaced by a new one of equivalent current value . If the statement of the passenger are doubtable , a specialized dealer must issue a written confirmation of the value and the degree of the damage .

If the file is completed , the station itself keeps one copy of the DPR, all other documents must be compiled to CAIBZXH ,  LOTUS AIR, CAIRO .

7.3.2  Payment Procedures of Damaged Baggage :

  If the suitcase is irreparable , the current value of the suitcase may be compensated . The current value has to be calculated according to the following formula :

Price 20% for each year of age = current value ,e.g. a two year old suitcase has cost 150 USD - 60 USD = 90 USD

Repairable damages are divided in two subparts :-

Fist one Minor damage: 

i.e. broken wheel , broken handle , broken zipper LOTUS AIR will pay up to 30 USD or equivalent currency .

This  is valid also for hard plastic and leather baggage’s .

Second one is Major Damage ;

  i.e. torn of handle base , side or bottom torn LOTUS AIR  will pay up to 50 USD or equivalent currency .

This is valid for leather and winless baggage’s but not for hard plastic .

  7.4  Found Baggage

 If baggage with LOTUS AIR Baggage tag for another destination has been found.

     . Send a telex to the LL-Office of the destination and CAIBZXH

     . tag the respective piece of baggage with RUSH tag

     . Forward it as soon as possible First available flight the destination

    . Send a Forwarding NSG containing tag number , routing and flight numbers to       the destination  transfer station msg . CAIBZXH

If unclaimed baggage with LOTUS AIR baggage tag for the station where the piece is found , or without a baggage tag is found .

   . Tag the piece with RUSH TAG .

   . Send a message to CAIBZXH immediately

If baggage has been traced ;  

   . Complete reverse side of Rush tag for forwarding

   . Send a Forwarding msg . containing tag number , routing and flight numbers to      the destination transfer station and CAIBZXH

Before loading X-Ray the baggage first 

    . Send a CFI message to CAIBZXH after delivering the baggage to the passenger.

7.5   Pileferage  

If a passenger report items out of his checked baggage to be missing , complete a Damage Pilferage Report (DPR ) and sent a telex to origin destination and copy to CAIBZXH . This must be done upon arrival ;  After Leaving the airport LOTUS AIR has no liability .

7.6  Customs Clearance and Delivery

If a lost piece of baggage arrives with RUSH tag at your station , notify the LOTUS AIR representative,   the representative of   the tour  operator   and   the   passenger   immediately .

  If local authorities permit customs clearance , clear baggage immediately . After customs clearance , the baggage will be delivered to the passenger .

If the passenger are not living close to the airport, delayed/lost baggage’s must be sent to the passenger with a taxi , a train, post or cargo delivery after having an authorization from the related LOTUS AIR Station Manager .