A spokesman representing station attendants in Ontario says baggage handlers are having a difficult time ensuring luggage remains on track because of smaller aircraft and staffing shortages.

"The real problems in this system are chronic short-staffing and aircraft types that can't carry the amount of baggage that they promise to carry," says Paul Lefebvre, an Ontario spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Air Canada says the number of delayed bags has dropped notably, but a consumer advocacy group says lost and damaged luggage remains a prime concern for air travellers.

Peter Fitzpatrick, Air Canada's spokesman, declined to say how many bags are lost or damaged, but says the numbers have been falling.

"That's not a number that we provide, however, we are well within the industry norm," Fitzpatrick says. "I know we've been happy with our performance and we've been taking measures to improve it."

But David Jeanes, a spokesman for the consumer advocacy group Transport 2000, says lost luggage remain a large source of complaints.

"Baggage problems are the second or third largest source of complaints," he says. "Unfortunately we don't have very good statistics because the Canadian Transportation Agency, which used to have an air travel complaints commissioner, no longer has that position staffed and no longer publishes regular reports."

Jeanes says while consumers can do online searches and dig around for complaints about lost or damaged luggage, consumers are still largely in the dark.

Jeanes says consumers should look out for their own luggage, ensuring that their bags are properly labelled, and travellers should check in early to ensure their bags are on the proper plane.