Extra Security for Checked Luggage

(7/11/2005)

Following recent confirmed reports of widespread baggage tampering by workers at Sydney’s airport and the resulting desire of travelers to make sure no one tampers with the contents of their luggage – a local company, PT Aero Tekno Utama, has introduced a shrink-wrap packing system for passengers departing from Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport.

Available from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport – Terminal 2 since October of 2004, the new Aerotek Secure Baggage Wrapping System was inaugurated at Bali's international departure terminal on July 1, 2005.

Although operational for only one week, the service is already drawing strong interest from passengers eager to prevent baggage theft and tampering. Similare systems are also in operation at many Australian airports.

Costs

Machine wrapping of a bag of any size is handled for Rp. 30,000 (approximately US$3.10). In addition, the company also offers a full hand-wrapping service for suitcases, rucksacks, and using babble wrap for delicate items for a charge of Rp. 50,000 (approximately US$5.15).

The company providing the secure wrapping service plans to soon extend its service to include the international terminals in Medan and Surabaya, followed by Jakarta's domestic Terminal 1.