Wichita ? An airline that handles five of Delta Air Lines’ daily flights out of Wichita Mid-Continent Airport had the worst baggage rate during a recent two-month period, according to a national report.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines had 24.13 baggage problems per 1,000 passengers in September and 17.64 problems per 1,000 passengers in August.

Kate Modolo, a spokeswoman for Atlantic Southeast, said the airline has identified “key issues within our control to make improvements,” including hiring more people and investing in equipment and technology.

Continental Airlines was found to be the best airline that flies out of Wichita.

Nationally, mishandled luggage claims by airline customers nearly doubled in September compared with the same month a year ago.

The numbers rose from 4.56 lost, delayed, damaged or stolen bags per 1,000 passengers to 8.25, according to a national report from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In August, restrictions on liquids and gels in carry-on bags went into effect, and more travelers started checking their bags.

More checked bags equals more mishandled bags, said Wichita State University airline expert Dean Headley.

The airline industry reported about 4.5 to five mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers before the new restrictions, Headley said.

October’s baggage-handling numbers should be an improvement over September, he said. However, he pointed out, November and December are high travel months.

The rate will stay above five mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers, Headley said.

It might go down to seven or 7.5 mishandled bags, but that still is 25 to 30 percent worse than a year ago, he said.

Statistics on mishandled baggage are logged for airlines, not for airports.