Three-quarters of North American airports plan to upgrade their baggage handling systems within the next five years.
According to the Airport Business 2023 Baggage Handling System survey, commercial airports of all sizes report needing to address their baggage handling systems in the near future to keep up with growth.
Increasing passenger volumes and increased efficiency are the two principle drivers of the upgrades as airports struggle to keep up with record traffic and ensuring luggage arrives efficiently to travelers.
Conveyor and carousel systems remain the top technologies currently being used by North American airports. Eighty-six percent are using conveyor systems while 69% reported using carousel systems. Half of survey respondents reported satisfaction with their current systems, but cite a need to upgrade technologies and improve operations. About 53% said they have challenges with system reliability and downtime, while 50% said they’re also hampered by limited capacity and scalability with their current systems.
Airports want enhanced technology as part of their baggage handling system upgrades. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they want to integrate RFID technology into their system upgrades, while 31% are interested in incorporating artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) into their upgrades.
This shift is driven by the potential for these technologies to revolutionize the way airports manage and process baggage, ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and passenger convenience.
RFID technology has emerged as a game-changer in baggage handling. Unlike traditional barcode-based systems, RFID tags contain a unique identification code that can be read wirelessly, without the need for direct line-of-sight contact. This allows for real-time tracking and monitoring of baggage throughout its journey, from check-in to the final destination.
RFID technology reduces the risk of mishandled baggage, as it provides more precise tracking and identification capabilities. This ensures that bags are consistently matched with the correct flights and passengers, reducing the likelihood of errors and delays.
RFID also enables airports to have real-time visibility into the location of each bag within their facilities. This visibility allows for proactive problem-solving, enabling airport staff to quickly address any issues that may arise during the baggage handling process.
RFID technology can also enhance security by tracking baggage movements and flagging any suspicious or unauthorized handling. This can help prevent theft or tampering with luggage, ultimately boosting passenger confidence.
It also allows for faster and more efficient baggage retrieval, minimizing the time passengers spend waiting at the baggage carousel. This contributes to a smoother and more enjoyable airport experience.
While RFID is a crucial component of baggage handling system upgrades, the integration of AI/ML takes it a step further. AI/ML algorithms analyze vast amounts of data collected through RFID and other sensors, providing airports with valuable insights and decision-making capabilities.
AI/ML can predict when baggage handling equipment is likely to fail, enabling airports to perform maintenance proactively. This reduces downtime, increases system reliability, and ensures a more efficient baggage handling process.
Algorithms for AI/ML can optimize the allocation of resources, such as baggage handling personnel and equipment, based on real-time demand patterns. This ensures that airports can efficiently handle fluctuations in passenger traffic.
AI/ML can predict how long it will take for baggage to move from one point to another within the airport. This information helps airports manage baggage flows, reducing bottlenecks and minimizing delays.
The technology can also analyze passenger data to provide personalized services, such as notifying passengers of baggage claim information on their mobile devices or offering alternative baggage delivery options. This enhances the overall passenger experience.
AI/ML systems continuously learn and adapt, allowing airports to refine their baggage handling processes over time. This iterative approach leads to ongoing improvements in efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
Common KPIs airport leaders are judging their systems include number of bags handled, number of lost bags and first bag delivery time. Some airport leaders also report tracking the number of recovered bags, the number of misrouted items and a monthly baggage ratio to judge the number of mishandled bags vs overall baggage going through their facility.
Airlines and baggage handlers are also feeling the pinch from outdated airport infrastructure.
Sixty-four percent of baggage handlers and airlines told Airport Business inefficient or outdated baggage handling systems are their primary challenge their organization faces when it comes to delivering baggage. Fifty-four percent say outdated airport infrastructure is also hindering their efforts.
Air travel has experienced unprecedented growth since the end of the pandemic. As more people take to the skies, the baggage handling systems at airports have been thrust into an era far beyond what their original designers could have imagined. The result? Strained infrastructure that groans under the weight of surging passenger numbers and luggage volumes.
These antiquated systems were never designed to handle the mammoth loads they bear today. Frequent bottlenecks, exasperating delays and a torrent of frustrated passengers are the commonplace with these issues. For airlines, it's not just a headache; it's a financial quagmire as operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction take a nosedive.
Automation Is the Future
In a world where automation has become the linchpin of efficiency, baggage handling systems still clasp the past with manual and labor-intensive processes. While passengers expect swift and precise baggage handling, outdated systems struggle to deliver. This outdatedness manifests challenges across baggage handling operations.
Modern airports are bustling hubs of activity, and older systems simply can't keep up. The sheer volume of baggage passing through major terminals often overwhelms these outdated systems, creating snarls and delays.
The contemporary world relies heavily on automation, and the baggage handling sector is no exception. Legacy systems rely on manual labor, which is prone to errors and mishandling of luggage. This is simply unacceptable in an era where precision is paramount.
Passengers today expect real-time updates on their baggage's status. Outdated systems, bereft of modern tracking and traceability features, struggle to provide this crucial information.
Heightened security measures have become the norm in air travel. Outdated baggage handling systems may not meet the stringent security standards required in the present day, posing a grave risk to passengers and airlines alike.
As these systems age, maintaining them becomes an uphill battle. Spare parts become scarcer, and the downtime for repairs can wreak havoc on airport operations. Many older airports were not designed with the efficient flow of baggage in mind. This results in labyrinthine layouts that slow down the process and heighten the risk of mishandling.
Operating and maintaining outdated baggage handling systems can be an exorbitant endeavor. Airlines find themselves allocating significant resources to keep these aging systems functional, diverting precious funds away from more pressing investments.
In an era of environmental consciousness, these aging systems are energy hogs. Airlines, under mounting pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, grapple with the energy inefficiencies of their baggage handling systems.
The Road to Modernization
Recognizing these challenges, airlines are taking gradual but definitive steps towards modernizing their baggage handling systems. This transformation entails embracing cutting-edge technology, including automated baggage sorting, RFID tracking, and advanced security screening. These upgrades not only bolster efficiency but also elevate the overall passenger experience.
The transition to modern systems is a heavy investment. It demands substantial capital investments, airport infrastructure overhaul, and meticulous planning to minimize disruptions during the upgrade process. Coordinating these efforts with multiple stakeholders, including airports, security agencies and ground handling companies, is a complex and time-consuming task.
Outdated baggage handling systems, once reliable workhorses, are now cumbersome relics of the past. The explosive growth of air travel and the relentless march of technology have exposed their limitations, undermining both operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
To remain competitive and meet the evolving needs of travelers, airlines must prioritize the modernization of their baggage handling systems. As the aviation industry continues its journey into the future, upgrading these critical components is not a luxury but an imperative. It's time to bid adieu to the baggage handling systems of yesteryears and usher in a new era of efficiency, reliability, and passenger delight.
