Don't take the trolley in an emergency. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new global safety campaign called "Save a Life, Not a Bag," designed to combat the growing phenomenon of passengers taking their personal belongings with them during emergency evacuations from aircraft.
The campaign, launched with the support of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), conveys a clear and concise message in a slightly amusing way and through animation starring animals: in the event of an emergency evacuation, listen to the crew, leave all luggage behind and move quickly to the nearest exit.
Watch the campaign (Source: IATA)
According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, stopping to collect a bag is not a trivial matter. "very 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."
The campaign was launched in response to an increase in cases of passengers being seen collecting luggage or filming during emergency evacuations, footage of which is being shared on social media, highlighting the dangers of not following crew instructions.
A survey conducted by IATA among passengers in the US, UK, UAE and Singapore revealed worrying knowledge gaps: While 80% of respondents claimed they knew what to do during an evacuation, only 61% correctlyanswered that they should leave all personal belongings on the plane. In addition, one in ten passengers admitted that they might take luggage with them even if instructed not to do so.
IATA emphasizes that luggage in the cabin can block aisles and exits, damage emergency slides, and delay the evacuation of passengers. The campaign's central message is simple: listen to the crew, don't take pictures, don't take luggage, and evacuate quickly, to save lives.
In-flight emergency. Photo illustration: Shutterstock