The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the launch of “Save a Life, Not a Bag”, a passenger safety campaign urging travelers not to take cabin baggage during an aircraft evacuation.
Supported by aviation safety regulators including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the campaign reinforces what passengers must do when instructed to evacuate for their safety and the safety of all on board: follow crew instructions, leave all baggage behind, and move quickly to the nearest usable exit.
“Taking bags during an evacuation is not a minor issue. Every second matters. Even taking one bag can affect the safe evacuation of everyone onboard. Crew instructions are clear and simple: leave everything behind and move quickly. “Save a Life, Not a Bag” is a message that passengers need to understand and act upon,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The campaign responds to the growing number of cases where travelers have stopped to collect their baggage or take photos during aircraft evacuations. Evidence of this is seen in many videos posted online.
“Rapid evacuation in an emergency situation saves lives. Aircraft are certified to stringent evacuation standards and crews are trained extensively for emergency situations, to make sure every single passenger has the best possible chance of survival in an acute situation. For this to work in a real emergency, all passengers must play their part too. And it is very simple: follow crew instructions, leave all baggage behind and move quickly to the nearest usable exit. Not only this will save your life, but you will have done your very best to allow everyone to get out of danger,” said Florian Guillermet, EASA Executive Director
Valuable seconds can be lost when retrieving baggage from overhead bins. Carrying bags can cause people to fall or damage the slides that all passengers need to use. Most concerningly, some passengers have been seen attempting to evacuate while carrying both infants and bags or other personal items, compromising safety at a critical moment.
“We are seeing an increasing number of passengers not following flight crew instructions during emergencies. In those moments, compliance is critical. Passengers must act quickly, follow instructions without hesitation, and leave all belongings behind. Safety is a shared responsibility, and informed, attentive passengers help ensure a faster, safer evacuation for everyone on board,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
