Theft from passengers during flights is one of the headaches currently being faced by airlines. This kind of theft was defined as one of the “biggest threats” to the industry by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker in an interview in Dubai last week. He described it as a new phenomenon which is becoming “a growing security issue”.
He added that Qatar Airways had been able to apprehend a large number of individuals, without elaborating on the most affected routes or the number of people who were arrested. The number of police reports on in-flight thefts to Hong Kong has increased according to South China Morning Post. In the first half of 2015, there were 45 reported cases of in-flight thefts, in respect of which 23 persons were arrested upon landing in Hong Kong.
NBC TV in the US investigated this trend. A woman had her purse stolen from the seat pocket while she was asleep. She felt somebody fiddling around in the night. She woke up and followed the thief who happened to be an American Airlines flight attendant on duty.
An Australian rugby star admitted to stealing $925 dollars on an incoming flight to Los Angeles. He returned the money and was sent back home immediately.
Speak up and be firm. Report any theft immediately
Cebu Pacific Airlines lately reported that an investigation was under way regarding an incident where three passengers on a flight from the Philippines to China had around 8,000 Chinese Yuan stolen from them by a flight attendant.
In July this year, a Chinese business class passenger was arrested in Hong Kong after he was caught stealing from the carry-on baggage of other passengers. He was arrested as soon as the plane arrived in Hong Kong.
In May of this year, a woman flying from Los Angeles to New York was arrested for stealing an ipad and other valuables from a bag of a flight attendant. In July 2010, the police in France arrested an Air France flight attendant for stealing cash and other valuables from sleeping business class and first-class passengers on long-haul flights between France and Asia. Upon her arrest, she confessed to 26 separate thefts. A safe deposit box full of jewellery, credit cards and cash was found at her home.
Following are some tips to minimise the risk of having items stolen in-flight.
Hang up your jacket carefully if you are in business class or first class and take out all your valuables, especially your wallet, from the jacket pockets.
Mark your bags well.
When placing your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, make sure the bag rests on the outer pocket which often contains valuables, and lock it. Stow it nearby so that you can keep an eye on it during the flight.
Bury your wallet and cash in your carry-on and keep your credit card on you just in case you would like to buy some duty free during the flight.
Watch your seat or do not leave anything valuable on your seat.
Be careful when storing your bag under the seat in front of you; do not leave any pocket facing forward as the passenger in front of you may open it.
Exercise common sense. Keep your wallet out of your back pocket. Speak up and be firm. Report any theft immediately.
If you board late and the surrounding overhead compartments are full and you are obliged to place your carry-on bag in the belly of the aircraft, make sure you take what you need and lock the bag.
Travelling nowadays has become stressful to the extent that one has to be alert all the time, even when trying to relax in the comfortable seats of business class or a first-class cabin.
Tony Mifsud is aviation and air cargo consultant.