Luggage mix-up on Jetstar flight leads to ATSB investigation

SYDNEY Airport baggage handlers were surprised to find a container of luggage on a Jetstar flight that shouldn’t have been there. Where did it come from?

Busy job. Baggage handlers in action at Sydney Airport. Picture: News Corp Australia

AN investigation is underway into how Jetstar failed to notice a container of luggage was left on board a plane after it landed on the Gold Coast, and then flew to Sydney.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the container of luggage from the previous flight was discovered by ground crew in Sydney, who noted it was not on the cargo manifest.

But Jetstar insists it was aware of the container shortly after the A320 left Gold Coast Airport, when baggage handlers alerted the pilot.

Ready for take off. A Jetstar A320. Picture: News Corp Australia

“An additional baggage container was left on the aircraft from the previous flight,” said a Jetstar spokeswoman.

“The pilots on board were notified once the error was picked up and the flight continued to Sydney and landed as normal.”

She said there was no risk of the plane being overweight as a result of the unplanned cargo.

“We notified the ATSB of the error and are conducting our own investigation,”

As part of its investigation, the ATSB will interview ground and flight crews over the incident on October 29.

The Jetstar spokeswoman said the well-travelled bags were put on the next flight to the Gold Coast to be reunited with their owners.

Aviation authorities take a very dim view of unclaimed luggage and won’t allow aircraft to take off if a passenger whose bags have been loaded, then fails to board.

Unattended bags in airports are also frowned upon, and have caused security incidents in the past.

Originally published as Luggage mix-up on Jetstar flight leads to ATSB investigation