News
Emirates, Heathrow launch baggage-tagging trial
13 February 2008
Dubai-based airline Emirates and Heathrow airport have begun collaborating on a trial of new baggage-tracking technology.
The six-month, £150,000 initiative is expected to track around 50,000 bags a month and assess the advantages of radio-frequency identification (RFID) against the airport's traditional barcode system.
Nine Emirates check-in desks at Heathrow will participate in the scheme by attaching tags containing RFID chips to bags as part of the check-in process.
Luggage will then be tracked at every stage of its journey, with a similar system set to be installed at Dubai airport.
Passengers can take part in the trial by submitting their mobile phone numbers, meaning that they can be informed of their baggage reclaim belt by text message when they arrive at Heathrow.
If the scheme is a success, it could become the norm at all UK airports.
Stephen Challis, head of product development at Heathrow, said: 'We are extremely excited by this project, which will track bags at every stage of their journey and could significantly improve the efficiency of Heathrow's baggage system, delivering an improved service to both passengers and airlines alike.'
Opodo cheap flights and hotels - let the journey begin!
The six-month, £150,000 initiative is expected to track around 50,000 bags a month and assess the advantages of radio-frequency identification (RFID) against the airport's traditional barcode system.
Nine Emirates check-in desks at Heathrow will participate in the scheme by attaching tags containing RFID chips to bags as part of the check-in process.
Luggage will then be tracked at every stage of its journey, with a similar system set to be installed at Dubai airport.
Passengers can take part in the trial by submitting their mobile phone numbers, meaning that they can be informed of their baggage reclaim belt by text message when they arrive at Heathrow.
If the scheme is a success, it could become the norm at all UK airports.
Stephen Challis, head of product development at Heathrow, said: 'We are extremely excited by this project, which will track bags at every stage of their journey and could significantly improve the efficiency of Heathrow's baggage system, delivering an improved service to both passengers and airlines alike.'
Opodo cheap flights and hotels - let the journey begin!
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