The leap year seems to have caused problems for many travelers as the airport's software failed to identify February 29 as a date.
"The computer of the baggage conveyor could not recognize the 29th of February as a date," an airport spokesman said.
The airport of Dusseldorf is the third largest in Germany. It deals with about 25000 to 50,000 suitcases and other luggage items daily.
"We hope that in four years everything will run smoothly," the spokesman said.
He also advised passengers not to leave important things — such as medicines — in suitcases, and to always take them on the plane inside their hand luggage.
The incident raised criticism on social networking sites, with many users making sarcastic jokes about the situation.
@aktuelle_stunde Das Jahr 2000 ist lange weg — und der 1.4. auch. Verfrühter Aprilscherz, oder. Glaub ich jetzt nicht….
— Rolf Meissler (@IQ_Junkie) 29 февраля 2016 г.
"The year of 2000 has passed long ago and 01.04, too. Is it a premature April joke or what? I can't believe this…"
@DerWesten Das ist ja kein Wunder. Der #Schalttag kommt ja überraschend nur alle vier Jahre. Das nächste mal wahrscheinlich 2020.
— peter muster (@Duisburg_Lebt) 29 февраля 2016 г.
"No wonder. The day suddenly comes only every four years. The next time, it probably should be in 2020"
Ja auch der Schalttag im Schaltjahr kommt ebenso überraschend wie Weihnachten jedes Jahr. #digitaleagendahttps://t.co/VIaNKa2GMW
— Julia von der Leine (@JuliaVDLeine) 29 февраля 2016 г.
"The leap day during a leap year occurs just as suddenly as Christmas does every year"
