Most insurance policies give an allowance for you to buy necessities in the event of your luggage being delayed in transit.

The amount awarded and the period of time that your luggage is out of your possession will vary between insurance policies. Mine shows an award of up to £50 for luggage missing for 24hours. You can only claim up to the amount you spend and you need to keep receipts rather that the full maximum coverage amount.

Thankfully I have only been displaced from my luggage on two occasions. Twice on inbound flights so it was not too bad. I have learnt over the years to pack a small toiletry kit in my hand luggage and when travelling with family to split clothes between several cases.

I know that the Canary Islands have recently experienced ground handling disputes and some baggage handlers have been striking. This may be why you sadly experienced this problem and your bags could not be unloaded at ACE.

Thanks for your reply.

However, any time I previously had luggage mislaid, the airline delivered it when found. this time, I had to go back again to the airport to get it. Is this usual in Canaries?

It is not usual - as you say the airlines normally delivery it to what ever address you stipulate on the PIR report.

I suspect in your case the ground handling dispute by the handling agents and the sheer volume of displaced baggage probably meant that they were overwhelmed with the amount of baggage that was left to be relocated with owners and that the backlog could take considerable time to clear. Although not particularly good service I suspect that it was far quicker to ask passengers to return to the airport to collect bags and probably meant customers obtained their luggage a lot quicker than if the airlines had to arrange delivery.

The airline may look favourably on any claim you submit for say a taxi to get you to the airport to collect your bags.