My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged — who pays?

Direct answer

The airline, under the Montreal Convention, up to about €1,600 per passenger — but only if you report before leaving the airport (the PIR form at the baggage desk) and claim in writing within 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay. Keep receipts for essentials you buy while waiting. If the airline refuses or ignores you, PTAC — pasažieru tiesības (65452554) supervises airlines in Latvia; Eiropas Patērētāju centrs Latvijā (ecclatvia.lv) helps against an airline based elsewhere in the EU; your travel insurer, and Latvijas Apdrošinātāju asociācijas ombuds (67360898) if it refuses, covers the rest.

Call firstPTAC — pasažieru tiesības

Report toEiropas Patērētāju centrs Latvijā

If that failsLatvijas Apdrošinātāju asociācijas ombuds

🗣️ What to say

"Flight [number] on [date], PIR [number]. My bag [tag number] is [missing / delayed since / damaged: what]. Under the Montreal Convention I claim [the value of the contents and the bag / the cost of essentials / the repair], [amount], receipts attached, within the 7/21-day deadline."

🪜 Step by step

Before you leave the airportBaggage desk, PIR report, keep the reference and the bag-tag stub.
Buy essentials, keep receiptsReasonable: toiletries, underwear, a change of clothes. The airline reimburses.
Written claim within 7 / 21 daysDamage 7 days, delay 21 days from delivery. Lost = not returned after 21 days: claim the contents with a list and any proof.
Refusal: PTAC — pasažieru tiesības, Eiropas Patērētāju centrs LatvijāThe aviation authority or the ECC for a foreign airline; the ADR body if the airline is a member.
InsurerTravel or contents insurance tops up above the airline's limit; Latvijas Apdrošinātāju asociācijas ombuds decides if they refuse.

📇 All contacts

PTAC — pasažieru tiesībasNational enforcement body for passenger rights (EU 261)When the airline refuses or is silent for 6–8 weeks📞 65452554 🔗 www.ptac.gov.lv/lv/aviopasazieru-tiesibas

Eiropas Patērētāju centrs LatvijāFree help with sellers in other EU countriesSeller in another EU country, Norway or Iceland🔗 www.ecclatvia.lv

Latvijas Apdrošinātāju asociācijas ombudsOut-of-court resolution of disputes with insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 67360898 🔗 www.laa.lv/ombuds

Patērētāju strīdu risināšanas komisijaFree procedure; the trader usually compliesAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 www.ptac.gov.lv/lv/pateretaju-stridu-risinasanas-komisija

❓ Frequently asked

What is the maximum?

About 1,288 SDR — roughly €1,600 — per passenger for all baggage, unless you declared a higher value at check-in. Above that, insurance.

They gave me a voucher

You can insist on money for a Montreal claim; vouchers are optional.

Damaged wheels and handles

Airlines like to exclude them; the Convention does not. Claim anyway and escalate.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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🧳 My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged — who pays?