Is there an airport that doesn't lose suitcases? Yes, there is. Although there is only one case in the world. It is an airport where the traveler knows that upon arrival all their precious belongings are waiting for them. Where they won't find out that the first thing they have to do on their vacation is buy underwear. Where they are at ease because they haven't lost the swimsuit they just bought on sale. Nor the expensive creams or makeup. Not even that raincoat that is always a must on any trip, the "just in case" one.
Those who have experienced it know how it feels when the suitcase doesn't show up. It's one of those mishaps that everyone remembers.
According to official civil aviation statistics, dozens of suitcases go missing every day in airports around the world. In total, 90,000 suitcases are lost daily, with 10,000 in Europe. 80% of the luggage is found by its owner a few days later, but it is estimated that one out of every 3,000 suitcases is permanently lost, meaning it is not found within 21 days after being lost, according to data from the insurer Mondassur. So, during the summer travel season, thousands of suitcases disappear without fail in airports worldwide.
It is also a tricky issue for airports, of course, although some are better than others in managing our belongings. In fact, the British Skytrax, which awards the so-called airline Oscars, has an annual category that rewards the best baggage delivery service. This year's winner has been the Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, thanks to the speed with which it delivers luggage and its minimal error rate. However, as is the case every year, Japanese airports dominate the ranking for their legendary customer service and practically nonexistent luggage loss rates. However, if there is one known for having an impeccable record, it is Kansai.
Located in Osaka Bay, this airport was designed by architect Renzo Piano on a completely artificial island, 3 km off the coast. A remarkable engineering feat that even appears in NASA archives as the world's first oceanic airport on the high seas. But Kansai can boast an even more astonishing fact: "We have not had a single case of lost luggage caused by the airport's facilities in the 30 years since its opening in 1994," confirms Momoka Uchikata, spokesperson for Kansai International Airport, to EL MUNDO.
And we are not talking about a small airport. If Osaka is Japan's third-largest city, Kansai International Airport (KIX) handles over 30 million passengers annually. "According to 2025 data, we received over 34 million passengers, of which more than 27 million were international." Of course, there are many ways luggage can be lost, and many times it can be a human error by the airline. When Kansai states that they have not lost a single suitcase, they mean not a single suitcase attributable to their facilities and systems. The secret?
"We don't do anything particularly special, but we strictly follow the rules and maintain our commitment to precise and reliable operations," says Uchikata.
"This record of zero lost luggage is not an exclusive achievement of our company, but the result of daily effort and meticulous work by all airport staff, including ground handling companies and airlines." Technology also plays a role in this perfect luggage handling record. "We believe that both are important. Technology and human effort complement each other, and leveraging the strengths of both is key to reliable baggage management."
Kansai International Airport has been renovated in phases. The latest updates were officially inaugurated in March of this year with the installation of self-service luggage drop machines and the expansion of the security control area to improve passenger flow and reduce wait times. Travelers passing through Kansai will also see innovative spaces to relax before boarding, as well as new dining and shopping areas. In 2026, Skytrax ranks Kansai as the 25th best airport in the world, led by Changi. However, will your luggage be waiting for you in Singapore? Very likely. In Kansai, for sure.