Dubai Airports will soon reject all bags that do not have flat surfaces to stop “jams that can shut down sections of our system,” according to a statement realeased by the company.

Effective 8 March, all bags without at least one flat surface will be rejected at airport check in counters. The jamming introduce a new baggage rule to help improve service, reduce the risk of mishandling and enhance the performance of its check-in and baggage operation at Dubai International.

“We are trying to get the message out there as much as possible,” says Ali Angizeh, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai International.

“Passengers, who show up at the airport with non-compliant baggage, will also be given the option to have it repacked in boxes for a fee.”

The airport has advised all airlines operating into DXB of the imminent change and has updated its website, mobile app and signage across the airport to inform travellers.

“Dubai International provides some of the most sophisticated baggage systems in the world,” says Angizeh. “However, even the most technologically advanced systems can be disrupted by irregular shaped or oversized bags. Bags that are round or are by far the largest source of baggage jams. These jams can shut down sections of our system, delay baggage delivery to the aircraft and inconvenience our customers.”

Stretching 140 kilometres and covering a surface area of 75 football fields, DXB’s baggage handling system is among the largest in the world. It has 15,000 trays and is powered by 21,000 motors. DXB handled approximately 9.3 million bags in January this year. A bag spends an average of 29 minutes in the baggage system at DXB.