Vanderlande has received an order to supply 160 STACK@EASE manual loading aids to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) that will enable the airport to better cope with growing baggage volumes. The airport currently handles 80,000 pieces of baggage a day.
A one-month trial was set up to test STACK@EASE inside the airport’s flight make-up environment, which comprised stacked laterals. The results and feedback from key stakeholders confirmed that the system will reduce the risk of injury from manual lifting as it helps operators to load containers and carts productively, minimizing their physical workload.
“Although we have a state-of-the-art computerized baggage handling system, much physical effort is required to load and unload bags to the aircraft containers,” said Steven Yiu, general manager airfield, Airport Authority Hong Kong, which operates HKIA. “To maintain a reliable and efficient system that meets passenger expectations, we have to safeguard the wellbeing of the ground staff who handle the increasing volume of baggage.”
STACK@EASE can also be integrated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that provides a faster, more accurate read rate of RFID bag tags. This enhances the effectiveness of the automatic baggage reconciliation system. In addition, the system is compatible with all types of baggage containers used on-site, making it a cost-effective and operationally versatile solution.
AAHK will install around 160 units over the next two years, covering all the laterals in its baggage handling system.