Can Portland pull off this Japan airport achievement?

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation,

The good news is that Portland International Airport outperforms most airports for luggage arrival success rates.  yet, new records out of Japan’s Kansai airport show that we can aim even higher.

Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan has achieved an impressive milestone: three decades without a single piece of passenger luggage going missing. This stands in stark contrast to the common problems faced at many other airports, where millions of bags are lost each year. Since its inception in 1994, KIX has consistently excelled in baggage handling, earning several prestigious international awards that highlight its record-breaking streak.

Portland International Airport (PDX) stands out when it comes to handling lost or mishandled luggage, ranking impressively compared to other major U.S. airports. Recent statistics reveal that PDX has an exceptional record, with only 0.47 mishandled bags for every 100,000 passengers. This remarkable rate positions it among the top airports in the country. In contrast, New York’s JFK and Newark airports face higher rates, tallying 2.6 and 2.3 mishandled bags per 100,000 passengers, respectively. Most major airports typically see rates ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 mishandled bags per 100,000 passengers, making PDX’s performance notably superior in this area.