The (near) future of check in at airports

2. CASE STUDY
Manned check-in units at Oslo Airport
>> Wide range of solutions
“We’ve seen a wide range of Self Bag Drop concepts emerge in compare different solutions and configurations, and to analyse
the past couple of years”, says Peter Hoefkens, Business their impact on operating costs, and on passenger flows and
Development Manager for baggage handling at Vanderlande baggage handling capacity. To do this objectively Vanderlande
Industries. “And each of them has its own merits and applicability. Industries uses decision support tools to help airports decide on
But no two airports are the same, with different regional the right configuration. Like a simulation model to visualise and
regulations, terminal sizes and layouts, passenger profiles, types analyse dynamic behaviour of processing times in a range of
of flights and operator needs. That’s why we always start with a operational situations with different ratios of staffed check-in
detailed investigation of the individual situation before we advise desks to unstaffed Self Bag Drop points.
on the best solution. Then we can draw on a range of solutions
to implement a cost-effective system.” >> “A check-in and Self Bag Drop solution doesn’t
work in isolation, so integration with the existing
Looking at the check-in and bag drop process itself, this consists systems and infrastructure is a vital success factor”
of a number of steps. First of all the passenger has to check-in
and get a boarding pass (often done online), then the baggage Simulation in this way allows fine tuning of the check-in
has to be tagged with a barcode tag for identification and sorting, configuration and the layout and number of Self Bag Drop points,
and finally the baggage is physically handed-over to the airport based on a comparison of outcomes including passenger
A_DOC168582EN/13-03 This information is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment on the part of Vanderlande Industries.
or airline. At this point a weight check is usually performed, with throughput times, process times and crowding levels in the
charges being applied where applicable. And finally, there needs check-in hall. “These simulations show that different check-in
to be a check on conveyability to reduce the risk of downstream configurations can have widely varying outcomes in terms of
jams caused by oversize or odd-shaped baggage, for example important factors like passenger waiting times, service levels and
with the automated BAGCHECK system which reduces the operational costs”, says Peter Hoefkens. “They underline our
chance of jams and resulting costly delays. These steps can be view that it’s important to be able to draw on a range of concepts
integrated to a varying extent, with either a two stop solution with to enable us to deliver the right solution in each case.”
separate check in/tagging and bag drop functions or a one stop
solution combining all functions at a single service point. >> System integration is a vital success factor
“The design of a Self Bag Drop solution will to a large extent “But of course any check-in and Self Bag Drop solution doesn’t
depend on the size and layout of the check-in hall and process”, work in isolation. Integration with the existing systems and
Peter Hoefkens explains. “Other important factors include whether infrastructure is a vital success factor, and the ability to choose
the system is for a new facility or a retrofit in an existing hall, the from a wide range of solutions places great demands on system
capacity and peak load requirements, what types of passengers integration skills. Thanks to our experience in implementing
are handled, whether a one- or two-stop solution is preferred, systems in a wide range of environments, we are well placed
who the operators of the system are, and what type of baggage help airports make the right choice for their specific needs.
handling system and software is already in use at the airport.” We have Self Bag Drop solutions running at several airports and
have demonstration configurations installed in our Innovation
>> Comparing different solutions Centre so potential users can gain hands-on experience of how
Once these factors have been identified, a preliminary concept these systems work in practice. That can make a big contribution
design can be prepared. At this stage it’s important to be able to to selecting the right solution and configuration.”