Student Delegations Arrive in Poland Without Luggage Due to Staff Shortage

Three student delegations, totaling approximately 380 students and staff, arrived in Poland on Monday without their luggage. The bags had not arrived by Tuesday, with the delay attributed to a staff shortage at QAS, the ground services company responsible for handling luggage on the flight.

A member of one delegation described the situation as difficult and unreasonable, stating, "We arrived in Poland without our suitcases, after we were promised they would arrive today. As of now, the suitcases are still at the airport, after the flights to Poland have already departed. This means we are here without medication, without personal items, and without basic necessities for a stay of several days."

Students received $150 per person to purchase essential items, which was deemed an insufficient solution for the duration of their stay. The trip, planned since the previous year, involved significant educational and logistical preparation, intended to focus on the students and the journey's significance. Instead, participants are dealing with preventable basic issues.

Air travel company "Tevel" confirmed the delay was caused by a staff crisis at the ground services company. The flight to Warsaw was delayed for nearly three hours because no staff were available to load the luggage. This created a complex situation where the flight crew's allowable working hours were nearing their limit, and the luggage issue was not expected to be resolved quickly.

Tevel decided to depart without the luggage to avoid a potential 12-hour delay if they waited for the crew's rest period. The company is arranging for the luggage to be transferred later.