The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new global awareness campaign under the slogan "Save Your Life, Not Your Bag," aiming to enhance passenger awareness of the importance of leaving personal luggage behind immediately upon orders to evacuate the aircraft in emergencies.
This initiative is supported by several prominent aviation regulatory bodies, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), amid an increase in incidents showing some passengers attempting to retrieve their bags or film videos during emergency evacuations.
New Campaign Aims to Secure Successful Aircraft Evacuations During Emergencies
IATA emphasized that every second is crucial during evacuations, as any slight delay can directly impact the safety of everyone on board. Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, stressed that carrying bags during an evacuation is not a trivial matter as some might think; rather, it can slow down the exit process and put the lives of others at risk.
Aviation safety experts pointed out that modern aircraft are designed to strict standards ensuring they can be fully evacuated in just 90 seconds. Crew members also receive intensive training to handle various emergency scenarios. However, the success of these procedures depends heavily on passengers' compliance with the crew's instructions.
One Passenger's Delay Could Endanger Hundreds of Lives
A study conducted by IATA in the United States, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Singapore revealed a clear gap between passengers' theoretical knowledge and their actual understanding of what to do during emergencies.
Although 80% of participants confirmed their knowledge of evacuation procedures, only 61% realized the necessity of leaving all personal belongings behind and exiting the aircraft immediately.
The results also showed that 33% of participants had seen reports or videos of passengers taking their luggage during an evacuation, while 22% of them admitted they might act the same way in similar circumstances.
It also became apparent that many travelers are unaware of the actual time required to evacuate an aircraft, as only 18% realized that the globally approved standard is just 90 seconds.
Competent authorities warned that stopping to open overhead bins or gather luggage can block aisles and obstruct the movement of other passengers, in addition to potentially damaging escape slides or causing further injuries during the rush and rapid exit.
IATA Urges Passengers to Prepare in Advance and Fully Comply with Crew Instructions
The campaign calls on passengers to focus on safety instructions before takeoff and to keep essential items such as passports, medications, and money in easily accessible places without needing to search for them during an emergency.
It also emphasizes the need to refrain from filming or using phones during evacuations, giving top priority to survival and the safety of all passengers.
As global air travel continues to grow, IATA believes that enhancing awareness and cooperation between passengers and flight crews is a fundamental pillar for maintaining the highest levels of safety in the skies.
