Baggage Burglars

THE arrest of the baggage theft ring prowling the Soekarno-Hatta airport came as a slap in the face for the airport authorities as well as to Lion Air, the airline most affected by the crime. Repeated thefts apparently occurred in the airport's 'sterile' area that is supposed to be safe. Four arrested gang members turned out to be the airline's employees.

Although the police helped nab the criminals, the airlines and airport management should not evade their primary responsibility: to compensate passengers' material losses and to restore their sense of security. Customers and airlines as well as the airport operator have a contractual relation whereby each party recognizes its rights and obligations. Whoever violates 'the contract' must be prepared to face legal consequences.

January 12, 2016