While the U.S. lost 5 bags per thousand passengers in Europe this number shoots up to fourteen per thousand passengers. Therefore, the European Union is studying the need for rules at European level to solve this problem that involves substantial cost and disruption to both businesses and travelers.

The number of bags delayed at the airport amounted to 4.6 million between January 2008 and October 2008 in the European Union. In 2008 32.8 million pieces of luggage were reported lost around the world, which amounts to a decrease of 20% compared to 2007 when 42.4 million were reported lost. Effectively, one piece of luggage has been reported missing for every 64 passengers .

Although there is now a decrease following five years of growth, this does not reduce the seriousness of the problem. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, responsible for transport, called the number of bags mislaid, damaged or lost during European layovers "excessive and unacceptable".

These figures have been revealed as a result of an inquiry started by the Commission in March this year following reports about the lost luggage problem in airports. This inquiry set out to assess the scope of the problem and evaluate possible solutions.

The problem needs to be dealt with. Airlines and airports have reiterated their commitment to improving the registration and management of luggage in order to improve the situation. Passengers who are affected often struggle to get reimbursed up to the maximum of about €1,100.

In recent years the EU has considerably strengthened the rights of passengers, thanks in part to the regulation adopted in February 2005, which improved the rights of air passengers affected by denied boarding, flight cancellations or long delays. The regulation stipulates compensation for denied boarding of up to 600 euros.