Melbourne Airport is one step closer to delivering a world-class international baggage system that will transform the way bags are handled at the airport. Testing is now underway on the new hi-tech baggage system by BEUMER Group â a Strategic Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group â that will double the capacity of the existing baggage system and provide airlines with real-time tracking of bags from the moment they are checked-in.
The half-a-billion-dollar project has required the installation of a network of baggage lines stretching more than 3.6 kilometres â the same length as Melbourne Airportâs longest runway.
The new system will more than double the capacity of the current outbound international baggage system, with the ability to process more than 4,000 bags an hour compared to just 1,800 today.
Bags will be carried on totes and electronically sorted into a new early bag store, capable of holding 1,400 bags at any one time, before being automatically dispatched in flight order to reduce the number of lost bags and improve efficiency.
The project will help support record international passenger numbers with Melbourne Airport registering its busiest October ever for international journeys with a total of 1,032,448 travellers for the month.
âThis system will more than double our baggage handling capacity when it comes online in March, giving us the infrastructure we need to support future international growth,â said Jim Parashos, Chief of Aviation, Melbourne Airport. âOur international passenger numbers are at record levels and with three new airlines touching down next month itâs shaping up as a really testing summer for our old baggage infrastructure. Installing 3.6 kilometres of new baggage tracks while maintaining 24/7 operations has been challenging, itâs like doing open heart surgery while running a marathon. The new system will mean fewer lost bags, with airlines able to track every bag in real-time from check-in to the aircraft, giving peace of mind to passengers while supporting on-time performance. Having an automated bag store will allow us to let passengers check-in much earlier for their flights and in the future will enable true anytime check-in, which is exciting for both airlines and travellers.â
