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How The IoT Is Transforming Airport Baggage Handling Systems?
How The IoT Is Transforming Airport Baggage Handling Systems?

September 22, 2022

IOT

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Aviation is undeniably one of the most technically progressive industries in the world. A multitude of departments working together to keep the commercial airports up and running. And one of them being the baggage handling systems department. Furthermore, with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), the aviation field is set to change drastically in the coming few years. IoT is transforming airport baggage handling systems.  

To further go into details of this transformation, one must discuss the possible effect of IoT on airport baggage handling systems. However, it’s important to know how the baggage handling system operates in the first place to understand its following transformation. 

Three essential reasons behind baggage mishandling

Here are three major scenarios that are leading to baggage mishandling:

Human Error

One of the most general and frustrating issues passengers are facing is losing their baggage. More often than not, their bags go on a different plane, and subsequently, at the incorrect airport when they land.

The most common reason for this failure is human error. When a baggage handler mistakenly places it in the wrong cart and loads it onto the wrong airplane. This is why IoT is needed and IoT is transforming airport baggage handling systems.  

Wrong Destination Code

This fault can occur right at the check-in counter. Every flight is having a different destination code. Also, the baggage tags have to match that code to be loaded on the right plane. Nevertheless, if the attendant types in the incorrect code, then it’s bound to be misplaced or mishandled.

Routing Label Scratched

The luggage placed at the check-in counter gets a routing label, which can sometimes be unreadable and generate confusion later. On the other hand, the correct routing label can get damaged, snagged, or torn when the luggage is traveling in the conveyor system. 

Because of these three errors, it’s not unusual for passengers to worry about their luggage. This is why IoT is transforming airport baggage handling systems.

Three ways in which IoT is transforming airport baggage handling systems

Establishment of IoT RFID readers for tracking luggage movement

One of the primary goals of IoT is to ensure improved tracking of passengers’ luggage. Furthermore,  the passengers themselves would also prefer to keep track of their luggage after checking in to travel without any worries. Further, a survey confirms this sentiment, and it was found that 81% of passengers preferred to keep track of their luggage throughout the journey. 

To putting up baggage tracking, many airlines and airports are choosing RFID readers throughout their luggage handling systems. These RFID readers can be placed at multiple points within the baggage handling system, including mandatory entry and exit points. 

Leveraging IoT for predictive maintenance

Making sure that the system’s efficiency is simple when the different verticals are working in synchronized form. However, a few components might malfunction or break down sooner or later. Therefore, leading to a loss of productivity. 

The answer is- to install several sensors in the conveyor system for keeping track of multiple parameters. Such as operating temperature, speed, and other variables. This information can then be transmitted via the cloud directly to the relevant departments.

The concerned authorities can then review the data and pre-emptively schedule repair or maintenance for keeping the system functioning as smoothly as possible. 

Drop in luggage mishandling and better transparency using IoT technology

Though the present baggage handling systems are pretty efficient and accurate. However, they are not infallible. And thanks to manual error, there are still chances of luggage being mishandled, lost, or transported to the wrong location.

Therefore, IoT is transforming airport baggage handling systems and reducing the instances of luggage mishaps. 

As stated above, with the use of RFID technology, any piece of luggage can be continuously scanned at different points in the baggage handling system. Therefore, ensuring that it doesn’t get lost in the baggage handling system.

Conclusion

To sum up, while this technology has not yet been applied on a wider scale across airports globally. However, its prototypes used in baggage handling systems of certain airports have met with resounding success. Hence, it is only a matter of time before IoT is incorporated in airports all across the world, making air travel even more convenient.


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