The well-documented baggage-handling problems at Terminal 5 may prompt some to wonder why RFID, which is being successfully adopted for baggage-handling at a string of airports worldwide, wasn't used in the new terminal.
My understanding is that RFID was first mooted by managers a number of years ago, perhaps as early as 2002, when strategic planning for the Terminal was being made. However, at the time, the view was that RFID when was not proven to be ready for such a major exercise.
Hong Kong Airport, now regarded as the world's leading airport by travellers actually began implementing RFID in 2004, and has since announced that all of its check in counters are using the technology. There is a presentation by Lyngsoe Systems on how the system in Hong Kong works here
Ironically, only a few weeks ago, BAA was gaining masses of publicity for its RFID baggage-handling trial taking place in Terminal 3.
Perhaps had it implemented that six month trial, say, a year earlier, and learned the lessons from it, while taking on board some of the RFID savvy that has made Hong Kong 'the world's favourite airport', Terminal 5's baggage-handling teething troubles could have been avoided.
If Terminal 5 starts to suffer the same reputation for baggage handling that has affected other Heathrow terminals, and BA's reputation in particular, that may indeed accelerate T5's adoption of RFID.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has no doubts about the benefits of RFID for baggage-handling. You can read its business case here
Technorati tags: BAA Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 Hong Kong Airport baggage-handling
Comments (4)
Great links complimenting the blog post! Especially the Lyngsoe Systems presentation.
Posted by Talton Figgins | April 1, 2008 6:57 PM
Posted on April 1, 2008 18:57
Glad it was useful. How are things going at OTA Training?
David
Posted by David Bicknell | April 3, 2008 10:05 AM
Posted on April 3, 2008 10:05
So can anyone gives us the real story behind the baggage system and the failures?
Posted by NickB | April 8, 2008 4:25 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 16:25
The 'real story'? Simply that the vast majority of BAA's IT systems run on expensive closed-source platforms & software, which are installed and maintained by third party IT consultants whose support contracts don't extend beyond standard office hours.
Posted by Anon | April 29, 2008 1:42 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 13:42