Heathrow Airport has installed over 100 Series 1 Type 2 self-service bag-drop (SSBD) units from ICM in Terminals 2, 3 and 5, as airlines continue to embrace this new technology.
In early 2018, a framework agreement was signed between ICM and Heathrow for collaboration on an integrated SSBD product for use in all Heathrow terminals. This campus-wide implementation sees ICM delivering the units, complete with CUSS platform and White Label application, as well as providing a range of managed support services.
This installation is part of a much larger automation program offering self-service options to passengers. Heathrow’s automation program includes an ambitious biometrics project, which will see biometrics used across the passenger journey including bag drop.
In October 2018, Heathrow announced plans to invest £50m (US$194m) in biometrics and will complete an initial roll-out from summer 2019 of “the world’s largest deployment of biometrically enabled products including bag drops and self-boarding gates”.
Prior to the installation of the Type 2 units, ICM’s SSBD technology was already in use at Heathrow with 24 Series 1 Type 1 units in operation at Terminal 5 with British Airways.
Mike Sanderson, managing director of ICM UK, commented, “We are thrilled by Heathrow’s adoption of ICM’s self-service bag-drop technology, and proud to be at the forefront of technological advancements at the world’s best-known airport. Having such a large presence at yet another world-class airport confirms ICM’s position as a leader in the self-service bag-drop market.”
ICM will exhibit at this year’s Passenger Terminal EXPO, where you can see all the latest new self-service bag drop developments, and hear from leading baggage and self-service experts at the Passenger Terminal CONFERENCE. Register here for your free fast-track exhibition entry code; and here for your conference delegate pass (rates apply).