BRS — Baggage Reconciliation System

BRS — Baggage Reconciliation System

The BRS is one of the core operational layers of aviation security. If a passenger's baggage has been loaded onto the aircraft but the passenger has not passed through the gate, the BRS detects this discrepancy and triggers the removal of the relevant bag.

Why It Is Mandatory

The origins of the BRS mandatory requirement lie in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Following the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103, ICAO and subsequently all major aviation authorities made passenger-baggage matching a compulsory standard. It is a critical security layer designed to prevent the scenario of an unattended bag planted for destruction.

BRS Process

The BRS workflow: (1) At check-in, each bag receives a barcoded tag uniquely linked to the passenger. (2) The bag is associated with the passenger's PNR in the DCS. (3) At gate boarding, each passenger's boarding pass is scanned. (4) BRS compares the gate list against the baggage list. (5) If a passenger with checked baggage does not appear at the gate, the system raises an alert. (6) If the passenger has not boarded, their bag is removed.

Integration with PNL and ADL

The BRS feeds from the PNL and ADL message flow. The current passenger list is transmitted to the BRS up to departure. Real-time ADL transmission is therefore critical to BRS accuracy.

Technology Evolution

Modern BRS systems can operate with RFID-based baggage tags. IATA Resolution 753 (baggage tracking) mandates the tracking of baggage throughout its entire journey to improve BRS efficiency.