Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has logged more than 8,000 unclaimed belongings over the past three months, highlighting a persistent challenge in managing passenger movement at one of Gujarat’s busiest transit hubs. Airport staff say the volume of misplaced items has grown steadily as flight traffic increases and travellers navigate multiple security and boarding processes under tight time pressures.
\Data shared by officials indicates that September saw around 2,200 items deposited in the airport’s lost-and-found division, rising to roughly 3,000 in October before easing slightly to 2,800 in November. The eclectic assortment left behind ranges from everyday accessories to essential personal electronics. Chargers, data cables, belts, neck pillows and watches account for a large share, while AirPods, purses, glasses, mobile phones and carry bags are also routinely forgotten.
According to an operations manager at the airport, most items are abandoned unintentionally during security checks, where passengers often empty their bags in haste or get distracted by the screening procedure. Another significant cluster of cases emerges near boarding gates, particularly when flights begin last-call procedures and travellers rush to complete multiple steps in a limited window. Some passengers even realise their loss only after exiting the airport and boarding taxis.Experts observing passenger behaviour note that such incidents are not unique to Ahmedabad. Large global hubs including Heathrow and major New York airports record far higher volumes of forgotten items. What distinguishes the Ahmedabad case, they argue, is the rapid growth in domestic air travel combined with an evolving passenger demographic that increasingly combines tourism, business mobility and regional connectivity. This shift brings travellers who may be unfamiliar with airport systems or who carry multiple devices that are easy to misplace.
Urban mobility researchers say the trend also underscores a broader need for airports to design people-centred infrastructure. Clearer signage, streamlined security lines, and ergonomic tray systems can reduce passenger stress and improve recall. Enhancements such as digital reminders through boarding apps or real-time alerts when items remain in trays could help minimise avoidable losses. These reforms align with global efforts to make transport hubs more inclusive, accessible and efficient principles central to building sustainable, low-carbon urban gateways.Airport officials emphasise that all unclaimed items are catalogued and stored securely, and can be retrieved upon presenting valid identification. However, they acknowledge that a significant proportion of items are never reclaimed, often because passengers are unaware of the formal process or assume the belongings are irretrievable.As Indian airports continue to witness rising footfall, the challenge of managing lost property is likely to grow. A more citizen-friendly approach combining design improvements, public awareness and digital systems could help reduce avoidable waste, support circularity and enhance the overall travel experience for millions of passengers moving through the country’s aviation network.
Ahmedabad airport logs over 8000 forgotten passenger items in months
