ABSTRACT
Baggage flow, unlike passenger flow, should be as rapid, direct and simple as possible. Whereas passengers are encouraged to loiter, shop and stop in bars en route to the plane, speed is of the essence with baggage handling. Because many passengers are likely to be transferring, baggage systems need to be flexible and reliable to ensure that passenger and baggage arrive together at their destination. Baggage movement is a two-way process. While with departing passengers there may be a longish period (up to 2 hours) between check-in and flight departure, with arrivals the passenger expects to be reunited with baggage in a matter of minutes (in 14 minutes with Manchester Airport’s quality assurance scheme).
