A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is a formal document filed at an airport when checked baggage arrives damaged, delayed, or not at all. It creates an official record of the problem and starts the airline's search and recovery process.
How It Works#
A passenger files a PIR at the airline's baggage services desk, usually located in the arrivals hall near the baggage claim area. Staff record the passenger's details, flight information, and a description of the missing or damaged item. The report is assigned a unique file reference number, which the passenger uses to track progress.
Once filed, the airline enters the report into a baggage tracing system. Most major carriers use WorldTracer, a shared database operated by SITA that connects airlines worldwide. This lets any participating airline check whether a bag has turned up at another airport or carrier.
Airlines set internal deadlines for resolving PIR claims. A delayed bag is typically considered lost after 21 days under the Montreal Convention, the international treaty governing passenger and baggage liability on most international flights. At that point, the passenger may be entitled to compensation up to the Convention's liability limit.
For damaged baggage, the passenger must usually file the PIR before leaving the airport. Most airlines will not accept a damage claim submitted after the passenger has departed the terminal.
Example in Aviation#
A passenger flies from London Heathrow to Toronto Pearson with one checked bag. The bag does not appear on the carousel after landing. The passenger approaches the airline's baggage services desk and files a PIR. The agent logs the bag's description, the passenger's contact details, and the original routing. The passenger receives a reference number and can track the claim online. The bag is located at a transit hub 36 hours later and delivered to the passenger's hotel.
Why It Matters#
Without a filed PIR, a passenger has no official standing to claim compensation or request a search. The report is the legal starting point for any baggage claim under the Montreal Convention or domestic consumer protection rules. Airlines will typically reject compensation requests that lack a corresponding PIR.
For aviation students and enthusiasts, understanding the PIR process shows how ground operations, passenger services, and international treaty obligations connect in day-to-day airline operations.
Key Takeaways#
- File a PIR at the baggage desk before leaving the airport arrivals area.
- The PIR reference number is required to track any baggage claim.
- WorldTracer is the primary system airlines use to locate missing bags.
- Under the Montreal Convention, a bag is legally "lost" after 21 days.
- No PIR means no formal claim — filing it is the critical first step.