Airport Staff Receive Bonuses for Oversized Bag Detection
Employees at airports are being financially rewarded for identifying passengers carrying luggage that exceeds size limits, according to an internal email.
Staff working for Swissport, a company that manages boarding gates, can earn £1.20 (or £1 after tax) for each oversized bag flagged at seven UK and Channel Island airports, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Jersey, and Newcastle.
The email stated that the payments aim to "recognize employees who follow the correct procedures." It also clarified that "monitoring will help identify areas for additional training but will not penalize staff." The policy was first reported by the Jersey Evening Post.
Additionally, workers employed by DHL Supply Chain at Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester airports receive small payments for spotting non-compliant easyJet baggage, as reported by the Sunday Times.
Swissport staff earn around £12 per hour. A former Swissport manager, who wished to remain unnamed, told the Sunday Times that enforcing size restrictions is often challenging.
"Dealing with excess baggage is similar to handling fare evaders," they said. "There’s a risk of verbal abuse, especially with groups—like stopping stag party travelers and informing them they’ll have to pay more than their ticket price to check their bags."
EasyJet permits one small bag at no extra cost if it fits under the seat. Larger carry-ons can be stored in overhead compartments for an additional fee starting at £5.99, depending on the flight. However, if a bag is confiscated at the gate, passengers must pay £48 to place it in the hold.
The Swissport policy, introduced in November 2023, remains active, with incentives paid directly to staff.
Swissport stated: "We operate under airline policies to ensure smooth and secure travel. Our priority is maintaining high professional standards across millions of flights annually."
EasyJet noted that ground handling companies oversee employee compensation independently. The airline said: "We ensure consistent application of baggage policies for fairness. Most passengers comply, but non-compliant cases face charges as a last resort."
Another airline, Ryanair, confirmed it does not provide similar incentives.
Read next
Ryanair plane had only six minutes of fuel upon Manchester landing, records show
Flight Narrowly Avoids Disaster After Storm Diversion
An inquiry has been launched after a Ryanair flight, struggling against severe winds during storm Amy last week, landed at Manchester Airport with only six minutes’ worth of fuel remaining.
The aircraft had been transporting passengers from Pisa, Italy, to Prestwick, Scotland, on
"Qantas customer data for 5 million exposed as hackers release info post-ransom deadline"
Hackers Leak Personal Data of 5 Million Qantas Customers on Dark Web
A cybercriminal group has released personal records of 5 million Qantas customers on the dark web after the airline did not meet their ransom demand.
The breach is part of a larger global incident affecting over 40 companies,
Investors flee record-high UK stocks as EU set to hike steel tariffs
Investors Withdraw Record Sums from Equity Funds Amid High Market Valuations
Data reveals that investors in the UK have withdrawn an unprecedented amount of money from equity funds over the past three months, driven by concerns over soaring stock market valuations.
According to the latest figures from Calastone, the largest