THE NEED: In the aviation industry, baggage handling constitutes the costliest and most labor intensive element right after fuel and staff salaries. The current baggage logistic process from the chute or carousel to the aircraft and vice versa faces several challenges:
1) capacity/space intensive infrastructure – IATA (the International Air Transport Association) predicted that passenger numbers will grow to 7 billion by 2034 which calls for the demand for larger BHS(Baggage Handling System) infrastructure. 2) lost and damaged baggage (L&D) – due to baggage transfer throughout the value chain. Each L&D baggage BAX (baggage flow) per passenger is estimated to have a financial burden of US$ 185 per suitcase.
3) work environment – an operator lifts more than 1,000 pieces of baggage on an average working day, thus resulting in lifting 15 tons because each BAX is lifted several times in the process. This creates a poor working environment and costs related to health and safety are rocketing. 4) assignment of responsibility between stakeholders (airports, ground handlers and airlines) – the challenge is uninterrupted and consistent tracking of the baggage throughout its journey, in particular when responsibility is handed over between stakeholders – avoiding mistakes and lack of data transfer. 5) The global increase in demand for labor is becoming an increasing challenge to the industry as labor is now globally not readily available, and even due to the resistance towards working in an industry marred by historically bad work environment and unattractive working hours.
THE SOLUTION: Bulk Baggage Handling System (hereafter BBHS) currently sits at the innovation forefront in the sector. BBHS has developed an unique intelligent BHS leveraging from LEAN principles of just-in-time and pull – where each BAX is dispatched when required at each departure, opposed to the current push operations occupying vast capacity in existing BHS systems – leading to a reduction of required manual lifts by 95% and increased system capacity. It is based on an automated modular concept designed for both departure and arrival and it occupies up to 50% less space than the current BHS facilities with equivalent capacity. The systems modularity can be adjusted to custom needs, facilitating different types of sorting facilities and intermediary storage. The BAX make-up process uses stationary optimized key components, instead of the current GSE(Ground Support Equipment). BBHS is the first and only system in the world for baggage handling that reduces manual handling by 95% all the way through the process. At the same time, the BBHS system makes it possible to virtually track & trace the baggage flow from check-in, until it arrives on the BBHS cart, and until it is finally placed in the cargo compartment on the aircraft. In this way, a partly automatized reconciliation process takes place. The system can further integrate innovative smart BAX recognition technology, as well as create passenger-oriented services providing information about where the baggage is located. No immediate competitors currently offer end-to-end gap closing solutions that solve the numerous challenges in the Baggage Journey and which simultaneously reduces costs and demand for labor.
The BBHS system is a new approach to baggage handling at airports. It is based on complimenting the existing BHS systems with an integrated chute-to-aircraft solution and vice-versa eliminating manual bag lifting.
BBHS, intelligent baggage handling, is based on a logistics philosophy of creating a system with balance between checked and dispatched baggage. The system handles baggage systematically in bulk, performing make-up and consolidation as an add-on to existing baggage handling systems, both in the sortation hall and at the aircraft. The aim is to handle baggage by LEAN principles of just in time and pull, opposed to the current push operations occupying vast capacity in existing baggage handling systems. Baggage is dispatched on-demand for each departure and is semi-automatically loaded to the aircraft. BBHS can improve efficiency, capacity, and work environment for departure and arrival baggage handling.
By introducing new handling methods and automation, BBHS has the vision to decrease the operational expenses and increase CAPEX utilization. The system helps to reduce manual lifting and makes the ground handling process highly efficient, resulting in reduced operational staff, injuries and sickness rates. The BBHS system can be placed outside the sorting hall, moving operator and system interaction outside of the sorting hall, releasing the most expensive square meters and potentially increasing space utilization and improved CAPEX ratio.
To achieve all this, we have introduced new technology and processes with the aim to promote transparency and business models for all stakeholders in the entire value chain, where a logical balance between the investment and benefits are distributed.
BHS is one of the major bottlenecks to an airport in need for increase in its capacity. The increasing complexity and proportions of the BHS arose from increased traffic demand, but also from security regulations as prerequisites for BAX screening after 9/11. The different aspects of the BHS can be fulfilled with different types of equipment - the choice relies on the type of airport and the current and future requirements of the stakeholders (airports, passengers, ground handlers and, ultimately the passengers).
The main novelty features of the BBHS system are pin-pointed below:
- LEAN principles of just in time and pull, for the first time in the industry;
- Modular-based system adjustable to current BHS infrastructures;
- Less ground support equipment - occupies only up 50 % less space compared to current baggage handling footprint facilities;
- 95% reduction of the required manual lifts hence providing the first major work environment improvements in decades ;
- Full BAX traceability (BAX is handled in bulk per flight);
- Data and statistics overview (performance monitoring and passenger push notifications)
The overall objective for BBHS is to improve the baggage journey, thereby generating an improved travel experience for the passenger. At the same time, the system has the objective of transforming a conservative industry to focus on operational efficiency and work environment - providing a "healthier" operational environment in the airport. The overall objective for the Horizon 2020 program has been to further assess the customer requirements and market need, which will be used as input for demonstrations and the ability for BBHS to enter the aviation market fully. The aim of the IBiS project is to overcome the remaining barriers associated with BBHS’ market introduction, namely demonstrations in operational settings that will be key to raise market awareness, lead to end-user adoption and overall stakeholder engagement. Demonstrations will take place at the Hamburg and London City airports (c.f. Letters of Commitment in §4). The IBiS project will contribute to low-cost/ high-reliability, fully automated BAX handling, thus addressing this important axis in the EU strategy for time and cost-efficient transportation.
