Reinforcing its commitment to innovative solutions, Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) signed a landmark agreement with Vanderlande on Tuesday 20 March, to have the first live baggage handling operation carried out by FLEET – Vanderlande’s future-proof baggage logistics solution.

Expected to go live in September 2018, FLEET is a flexible and sustainable solution that utilises autonomous vehicle technology, replacing the need for fixed sorting systems. It also consumes up to 50% less energy compared to traditional baggage handling systems.

The agreement with RTHA will allow the airport to expand and improve its baggage sorting systems; handle a larger number of flights and passengers; improve ergonomic working conditions for ground staff; and future-proof baggage handling solutions.

Using autonomous vehicles which can determine an optimal route through an airport, FLEET has been designed to seamlessly grow alongside an airport, match its operations, and allow it to adapt to changing security and screening regulations.

“FLEET aligns perfectly with our overall vision of becoming an innovation hub,” said Ron Louwerse, managing director, RTHA. “It is future-proof and scalable, will make a positive impact on our sorting efficiency and improve the ergonomics for our baggage handling team. We’re pleased to have signed the agreement, because we believe that FLEET will become a key part of our operations and the best way to help us to connect with our future strategy.”

The announcement of the agreement at Passenger Terminal Expo in Stockholm this week comes hot on the heels of Vanderlande announcing last month that it has signed a strategic baggage cooperative agreement with Canada’s Vancouver International Airport, which serves a large number of low-fare and regional flights.

 

Inset image: FLEET’s Koen Evers (left) and Rotterdam The Hague’s Ron Louwerse sign letter of intent on Tuesday 20 March at Passenger Terminal Expo 2018, Stockholm. 

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