It is no mystery but the sheer truth is that Air Malta does not have a proper electronic tracking system. 

They rely on the goodwill of passengers not to complain when bags are lost. The airline told me the tag must have fallen of but I find this a lame excuse.  

On Sunday on landing in Heathrow no bag arrived do I made sure with the Alitalia agent to personally inspect the bag carousel just in case it was hiding somewhere. On Sunday afternoon it was not busy in Heathrow so there is no excuse that it was mislaid. 

I called Heathrow in the morning and repeated my call throughout Monday and Tuesday yet they said no bag had been found and even confirmed that no bag had been sent from the Gudja airport. 

So yes it is mystery where and how for four consecutive days a large Samsonite bag with a distinctive orange band could go unnoticed. 

My thoughts go to the weak security system in place and ponder why no action was taken to improve internal control. Last year, Ernst & Young was paid over €3 million to upgrade operations and turnaround business practices of an ailing Air Malta. The hypocritical attitude of politics reply that Air Malta now boasts a new livery and colours and has moved its entire staff to luxury offices But no money is budgeted to upgrade its Neolithic bag tracking system. 

But who cares so long as the number of arrivals breaks records and the Austrian owners of the airport show more turnover  – then it is all smiles to the bank. 

What a pyrrhic victory for poor travellers 

George M. Mangion