Vanderlande and Avinor join forces to explore last-mile baggage automation

Vanderlande and airport operator Avinor have formed an innovation partnership (IP) to explore ways of fully automating the last mile of the baggage handling process. Vanderlande will supply two innovative solutions – BAGLOAD for integrated robot loading and FLEET Batch for the transportation of ULDs. These solutions will be trialled at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to enhance the efficiency and reliability of baggage handling, benefiting the airport industry as a whole.

Avinor received funding of around NOK 15 million (€1.3 million) after Innovation Norway selected its project proposal. The airport operator chose Vanderlande as its technology partner through a tender process, and the newly formed IP runs from August 2023 to November 2024. The two organisations have a long history of partnership, dating back to 1994 when Vanderlande supplied Oslo Gardermoen Airport’s first baggage handling system (BHS).

The goal of the IP is to automate a part of the baggage handling process that has remained unaltered for more than 50 years. The unloading of luggage from the BHS on to containers bound for the aircraft is currently a labour intensive and costly operation. According to Avinor, about 50% of costs related to baggage handling are incurred through these last-mile activities.

The first phases of the IP will take place at Vanderlande’s testing facilities in Veghel, The Netherlands, and involves further developing and prototyping the technologies according to the project brief. From September 2024, the two products will be subject to a three-month trial at Oslo Airport, where Avinor has built a dedicated project test centre. This facility is connected to the BHS, so assessments will be undertaken in a truly “live” environment.

“The main objective of our IP is to increase the efficiency of the baggage handling process while removing repetitive heavy lifting duties currently undertaken by baggage handlers,” says Ole Petter Storstad, Director of Technology and Infrastructure at Avinor. “We’re excited to work with Vanderlande, whose current level of technology provides us with confidence that a viable solution can be developed and rolled out across the entire industry.

“We’re delighted to be partnering Avinor in this ambitious project, and I believe their choice is recognition of our strong focus on automating the end-to-end baggage handling process,” says Andrew Manship, Vanderlande’s Executive Vice President Airport and Parcel Solutions and Board Member. “The collaboration will supercharge our development work, and a successful outcome will benefit the airlines, handling companies and all individuals currently engaged in difficult manual work.”

Company profile of Vanderlande
Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports and parcel sectors. Its extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.

The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements.

Vanderlande’s warehousing solutions are the first choice for many of the largest global e-commerce players and retailers in food, fashion and general merchandise across the globe. The company helps them to fulfil their promise of same-day delivery for billions of orders, with nine of the 15 largest global food retailers relying on its efficient and reliable solutions.

As a global partner for future-proof airport automation, Vanderlande’s market-leading baggage handling systems and related passenger solutions are capable of moving over 4 billion pieces of baggage around the world per year. These are active in more than 600 airports, including 12 of the world’s top 20. In addition, over 380 of Vanderlande’s security lanes are installed at checkpoints worldwide.

Vanderlande is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions that address the challenges in the parcel market. More than 52 million parcels are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for the world’s leading parcel handling companies.

Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 9,000 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a turnover of 2.1 billion euros, it has established a worldwide reputation over the past seven decades as a global partner for future-proof logistic process automation.

Vanderlande was acquired in 2017 by Toyota Industries Corporation, which will help it to continue its sustainable profitable growth. The two companies have a strong strategic match, and the synergies include cross-selling, product innovations and research and development.

For more information about Vanderlande, its products and technology, as well as career opportunities, please visit www.vanderlande.com.

About Avinor
Avinor is a wholly-owned state limited company under the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and is responsible for 43 state-owned airports.

Avinor has taken a leading role in reducing climate gas emissions from the aviation industry, including the development of electric aircrafts and supplying sustainable jet-biojetfuel.

Avinor provides safe and efficient travels for around 50 million passengers annually, half of which travel to and from Oslo Airport.

Over 3000 employees are responsible for planning, developing and operating an efficient airport and air navigation service. Avinor is financed via airport charges and commercial sales. The air navigation services is organised as subsidiary wholly-owned by Avinor. Avinor's headquarter is in Oslo.