Schiphol and KLM win 2011 Best Baggage Initiative Award

At the Future Travel Experience 2011 Congress held in Vancouver last week, Victor Vaessen (Manager Product Development, KLM) and Marit Gangsaas (Advisor Passenger Services, Schiphol Group) received the 2011 Best Baggage Initiative Award. More than 400 delegates from 33 countries were in Vancouver to attend this global forum for travel industry stakeholders, which focuses on ways to improve all aspects of the passenger experience on the ground. The award was presented for the Self-Service Baggage Drop-Off units at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. As demand for self-service throughout the travel process continues to increase, Schiphol, KLM and BagDrop systems BV have successfully joined forces to develop the innovative self-service bag drop and self-tagging solutions to further empower the passenger.

“The big advantage of a self-service drop-off unit is that it is always available,” explains Roel Hellemons, Director Operations, Schiphol Group. “This means that more capacity is available, resulting in higher efficiency for passengers, the airline and the airport. In addition, passengers are in control of their own process and can check-in their baggage in very little time. Innovations like this help us to meet key passenger needs and live up to our ambition to be and remain Europe’s preferred airport.”

Adriaan den Heijer, Vice President of Hub Operations KLM at Schiphol: “KLM is extremely pleased with this award. The Self-Service Baggage Drop-Off units are a logical step towards expanding the use of self-service facilities within KLM and the airport. This enables us to meet the needs of our passengers, who are increasingly keen on controlling their own travel process. This award confirms their appreciation for our efforts.”

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was one of the pioneers of the bag drop process, initially adopting it in 2008 and, following a successful trial period in collaboration with KLM and BagDrop systems BV, providing self-service baggage drop-off on a permanent basis. In fact, on August 15 six of the latest-generation BagDrop units were taken into operation and by February 2012, a total of 12 new units will be installed in Terminal 2 for KLM and its SkyTeam partners.

First Future Travel Experience Awards

The first Future Travel Experience Awards celebrate outstanding efforts of organisations which have gone the extra mile to improve the passenger experience. The awards aim to recognise the most innovative, ambitious and effective initiatives and organisations. They are created by Future Travel Experience, the independent forum at which the world’s travel facilitators gather to launch their future passenger initiatives and view the latest concepts from vendors in the field.

BagDrop systems BV

BagDrop systems BV is focused on optimizing terminal operations through efficient and innovative self service products and services. The fully integrated BagDrop unit is a single passenger touch point with which a passenger can autonomously check-in and securely drop of baggage. Part of the solution is the operational concept with supporting agent tools. BagDrop systems BV services are aimed at optimizing terminal throughput, improving passenger experience and increasing business performance by implementing turn-key solutions.