Apart from having to mediate between unruly and temperamental passengers, global airlines increasingly find themselves grappling with far more difficult ones — those who might be kleptomaniacs, seasoned thieves or even organised criminals. It isn’t just the escalated in-flight conflicts that have been on the rise but, alarmingly, even on-board thefts. Last year, U.S. carriers logged as many as 117 complaints of theft, mostly wallets and earbuds. Reportedly, in 2022, 33 cases of on-board thefts were brought to the authorities in Malaysia. This number jumped to 88 in 2023 and over 150 by 2024. The jump in cases is similar to the larger numbers logged at airlines across the globe.
Last month, a Chinese national was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from on-board passengers on an Air India flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi. The incident was not a one-off instance of in-flight theft but an organised modus operandi that the accused admitted to during interrogation. He, along with his accomplices, was a part of a coordinated syndicate operating on international transit flights. Booking transit flights with longer durations to maximise unsupervised cabin luggage was part of their tactics, informed Usha Rangnani, Additional Commissioner of Police, IGI Airport at the time. Even though the rise in theft cases is equally concerning across the globe, it is slightly higher for Asian airlines.
Last week, yet another on-board theft came to light when a passenger alleged his bag’s number lock was broken resulting in Rs 70,000 cash getting stolen during a return trip from Singapore to Chandigarh via Delhi. Taking to social media, the victim tagged Air India, Delhi Airport and Chandigarh Airport Authorities ruing the erosion of trust. The tweet prompted a response from Air India, “Valuable items such as cash and jewellery should be kept in hand baggage as per our guidelines.” While the onus of most on-board cases of valuable items being siphoned off is passed onto the passengers, the numbers are alarming enough to have prompted updated advisories on vigilance from airlines and industry professionals. The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said in November last year that an increase in in-flight thefts has fuelled “growing concern” among airlines and become the subject of industry discussion.
Long haul flights — breeding ground for theft
Unlike in trams, metros and other modes of local transport, where the passengers are usually alert for pickpockets, airplanes have always been deemed to be a far safer space making the travellers let their guards down once the cabin luggage is settled and seat belts are strapped. Small valuable electronic devices and cash are a catnip to opportunists and the baggage kept in the overhead compartments is especially prone to being frisked with. Security experts warn that these thefts are disturbingly common for aisle seats especially on overnight flights when cabin lights are dim and passengers doze off. Flight attendants have warned that the risk goes up for fatigued and inattentive passengers who are hoping to get some shut eye with their eye masks on and ear plugs in.
What can be done?
Till far more updated surveillance systems are in place and cabin crew is adequately trained to additionally also monitor thieves in disguise, passengers are increasingly being advised to take small but significant measures. Zippered bags on your person are a good starting point, as are air tags attached to luggage or other items of value. Timely reporting any losses to cabin crew could be the difference between recovering your item or losing track of it forever. Former flight attendants warn that one widely common misconception among passengers is that the overhead locker right above their seat belongs to them. While it is mostly preferred that people only use the bins above their seats and cabins, there are no fixed or official rules; thereby making the overhead cabin space open to arguments, interpretation and sometimes, even theft.
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Singapore Police recently issued a warning to the same effect, alerting passengers that usually thieves will take cash and maybe a card or two and never whack your whole wallet because it is easier to notice. Earlier this year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced plans to address the growing problem of in-flight thefts. “Our security advisory group is planning to meet and discuss what we could potentially do better to manage this,” Nick Careen, IATA’s vice-president operations, said on the side-lines of the association’s annual general meeting adding that most cases of thefts are being reported out of China where it is an organised crime. While the authorities are at it, there is no substitution for being alert all the time.
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