october2023 - 27

information from flight information systems,
booking systems and flight departure
control systems. All staff involved
in baggage transfers from dispatchers
to drivers are supported along with
such tasks as the dispatch of agents
for short and missed connections.
Dashboard updates and other reports
deliver valuable data relating to support
optimal decision-making and operational
efficiency.
Where transfer baggage is concerned,
the software maximizes the possible
tail-to-tail baggage transfers, taking
into account all available resources
and the current workload. Baggage
managers can set a time corridor for
the so-called cut-off time, which determines
up to which connection time
bags will be transported tail-to-tail.
The software automatically maximizes
the tail-to-tail connections within
the given time corridor. This advanced
functionality is already being tested by
leading airlines.
Benefits Derived
Advanced baggage handling optimization
software with the latest functionality
to optimize transfer baggage
processes benefits all stakeholders.
Airlines benefit from the real-time
analysis of critical connections and
detection of potential disruptions, and
the ability to provide a better passenger
experience due to fewer missed
connections and mishandled baggage.
Employees involved in baggage realize
reduced workloads, increased productivity
and greater job satisfaction.
Further, the costs associated with mishandled
baggage are reduced substantially.
Airport Industry News reported
that mishandled baggage between flight
connections and the over 4 million bags
mishandled during transfer, cost the
industry $2.2 billion in 2022 alone.
The leading baggage handling and
transfer optimization software solutions
feature user-friendly design and flexible
architecture. Some are enhanced
with graphical, self-refreshing overviews
and color-coded connection data.
Sophisticated connection time engines
facilitate critical details, giving consideration
to factors such as walking
distance, bus/terminal transfers, passenger
profiles, checkpoints and peak
hour congestion. Options for decision
support may include instructing direct
transfers, assessing alternate parking
positions, sending additional staff and
rebooking choices.
Also taken into consideration are the
cost of a delay compared to a rebooking
cost. Such digital solutions enable
staff to remain informed through their
mobile devices.
The value in applying optimization
software to improve all baggage handling
including transfer baggage processes
has not been lost on the airlines.
SITA reported that real-time baggage
status information is a key priority for
them as evidenced by this finding: 57
percent of airlines are providing their
staff with mobile access to real-time
baggage status information; a percentage
projected to increase to 84 percent
by 2025.
Some 67 percent of airlines also plan
to make baggage status information
available to passengers, up from the
current 25 percent.
The future of baggage handling
optimization is bright and hopefully,
mishandled baggage will be
more of an anomaly than a regular
occurrence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MICHAEL REINKOBER
Michael Reinkober is product
manager for GS RealTime
Staff and Equipment at
INFORM GmbH, a leading
global provider of intelligent
optimization solutions for
airlines, airports and ground
handlers.
October 2023 || AviationPros.com || 27
INFORM
http://www.AviationPros.com
october2023

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