Hundreds of unclaimed or lost bags remain at YVR
The fallout from weeks worth of cancellations, delays and other weather related issues at Vancouver International Airport has entered a new year.
Many passengers say their bags were lost over the holidays and they still haven’t heard if or when their belongings will be returned.
There’s no shortage of horror stories on social media, with some travellers reporting their luggage has been lost for two weeks.
Privacy partitions that were initially used at the terminal’s COVID-19 testing sites at the height of the pandemic are now being used to store the luggage in the baggage claim area of domestic arrivals until the airlines can sort through them.y
As of Tuesday morning, approximately 1,500 bags remained, down from 4,000 just a week prior.
“A series of factors really led to that backlog of baggage. Certainly weather in other areas of the country and operations at those airports meant that luggage wasn't being loaded onto planes with the passenger,” said Alyssa Smith, communications manager for the Vancouver Airport Authority
Smith says issues that other airports had with their baggage systems have also contributed to the problem.
“We certainly don't want anyone to have a negative experience coming to the airport, but sometimes the realities are out of our control and just working really hard to get information so that people can make plans as needed for themselves,” she told CTV News.
YVR is assisting passengers, but ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the airlines to reunite travellers with their bags.
“Baggage is under the care and control of the airlines. So from the time you check in to the time you pick up that bag on the carousel, the airline is responsible for that portion of the journey. We provide the infrastructure for them to do that,” explained Smith.
The airport authority says due to the extent of the backlog, some people could still be waiting several more weeks.
Passenger rights advocates are advising those with lost luggage to report missing baggage to the airline either in person or online and to record all interactions with airline agents.
It's also important to keep in mind that there are limits to what the airline will reimburse.
Liability limits are approximately $2,300 CAD on domestic and international itineraries, including trips to the US.
For domestic itineraries within the U.S the limit is $3,800 USD.
“You can claim more than these amounts if you can prove that the delay was a result of willful misconduct of the airline and/or its agents,” according to the website of the non-profit Air Passengers Rights.
There are also time limits, and travellers need to submit a complaint in writing within 21 days of receiving their baggage.
If necessary, they can initiate legal action against the airline within two years.
On Tuesday, nearly all passengers leaving Vancouver's airport are arriving at their destination with their bags on time, according to te airport authority.
Operations have returned to normal following last month's snow storm with 99 per cent of flights on schedule.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.