Over 64,000 items were collected by Mumbai Airport's Lost & Found Department in 2024 - Check List Here

Travelling through an international airport like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai, is often a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. Amid the vibrant energy of journeys, misplaced belongings can become an unintentional consequence.

Acting as a steadfast custodian, Mumbai airport's Lost & Found Department works with unwavering dedication, ensuring cherished items are reunited with their rightful owners. In 2024 alone, the department safeguarded an astounding over 64,000 lost items, exemplifying exceptional efficiency and heartfelt care.

On an average, 5,000 items are left behind by passengers each month at CSMIA, including treasured valuables like cash, jewellery, essential documents, as well as everyday items such as jackets, phones, and earphones.

Most Misplacement at High-Traffic Areas

Security checkpoints, boarding gates, lounges, food courts, and arrival smoking lounges are hotspots for misplaced belongings, with wallets, phones, passports, and wristwatches among the most commonly left-behind items.

Reuniting Lost Items with Owners

• CSMIA takes pride in successfully reuniting an impressive 9,588 lost items with their rightful owners in CY2024, including 980 items in February 2024 alone. Each returned item, many of significant and sentimental value to their owners, underscores the airport's dedication to enhancing the passenger experience and fostering trust.

• Unclaimed items primarily comprising everyday belongings such as earphones, spectacles, and belts are meticulously safeguarded by CSMIA through a robust tagging and storage system. This ensures their integrity and minimises any risk of damage or misplacement during the holding period, reflecting the airport's commitment to secure and efficient asset management.
• Unclaimed valuables and electronic items are transferred to Customs after 90 days, with a tagging and storage system that minimises risks of damage or misplacement during the holding period.

Efficiency Meets Compassion in Every Interaction:

• Every lost item is systematically catalogued and stored, while high-value items like jewellery, Indian and foreign currencies are secured under stringent protocols in designated lockers.

• Out of overall lost items found in CY2024, 30% were classified as valuables. Of these valuable items, 80% articles have been reunited with their rightful owners, while the unclaimed valuables were responsibly handed over to customs after 90 days.

• Non-valuables, which made up 70% of misplaced items, were donated to NGOs after the stipulated holding period, ensuring they find a purposeful use.

Seamless and Timely Returns:

• All recovered items undergo rigorous verification and documentation, ensuring most belongings are returned within a single day.

Memorable Success Stories Reflecting Dedication:

• A passenger who discovered their passport missing a month before an international trip had it recovered and delivered in time, thanks to the department’s swift action.

• A handbag containing an engagement ring and heirloom ornaments was recovered and returned the same day, preserving a passenger’s once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

• A bride’s wedding lehenga, accidentally left at the security checkpoint, was located and handed over to a relative on the next flight, ensuring her special day was saved.

Handling lost and found queries:

Handling over 5,000 monthly queries, the Lost & Found team at CSMIA operates 24x7 with exceptional professionalism and care.

Beyond reuniting passengers with their belongings, the CSMIA Lost & Found team consistently goes the extra mile to ensure a positive outcome, whether recovering irreplaceable heirlooms or assisting in critical moments.

With a blend of innovative processes, tireless dedication, and a passenger-centric approach, CSMIA sets benchmarks in customer service, ensuring that every journey is safeguarded, seamless, and memorable.