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Description
An efficient baggage-handling system is of critical importance to the aviation industry, especially for major hub airports that handle large volumes of passengers and connecting flights. Huge investments have been made over the years, and baggage handling has been long recognized as one of the most promising areas for airport automation. However, given the considerable degrees of diversity and dynamic nature of the aviation industry, the levels of automation vary across different airports and regions. Even terminals at the same airport may use very different systems. Institutional factors, such as infrastructure ownership, regulations and airport-airline arrangements, all play important roles in the investment and operation of baggage systems.
For a better understanding of the prospects of baggage system automation, it is important to review the industry background and analyse these institutional factors. This study highlights the challenges and implications of airport baggage handling automation so as to better describe the trends depicted in the Transport 2040 Report. This is achieved through a short background review and related case studies. It is hoped that such an investigation will identify the major challenges that the aviation industry needs to address so that stakeholders can better prepare for the future.
This study concludes that baggage automation will be progressively introduced in the aviation industry, especially in newly built terminals, large airports and markets where stakeholders can work jointly. International organizations and government agencies also have important roles to play in such a process. The aviation industry is quite competitive and dynamic. Airlines and airports need to constantly improve their service quality and standards. On the other hand, major aviation markets are often located in high-growth developing countries or high-income developed countries with a shortage in the supply of specialized labour. In the short to medium term, baggage automation is unlikely to bring major destructive shocks to the labour market.
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.21677/itf.20190813
ISBN
978-91-984865-6-8 (print) 978-91-984865-9-9 (online)
Publication Date
2019
Publisher
World Maritime University
City
Malmö
Disciplines
Operations and Supply Chain Management | Technology and Innovation | Transportation
Included in
Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons, Technology and Innovation Commons, Transportation Commons