WATCH: How New $500M Baggage Handling System Will Work

Final testing is underway on a new $500 million international baggage system at Melbourne Airport that promises to dramatically reduce the number of lost bags.

When the new system opens in March it will double baggage handling capacity at the airport, providing real time tracking of each bag from check-in to the aircraft.

The project has required the installation of a network of baggage lines stretching more than 3.6 kilometres – the same length as the airport’s longest runway.

The new system will have the ability to process more than 4,000 bags an hour compared to just 1,800 today.

Bags will be carried on totes and electronically sorted into a new early bag store, capable of holding 1,400 bags at any one time, before being automatically dispatched in flight order to reduce the number of lost bags and improve efficiency.

The project will help support record international passenger numbers with Melbourne Airport registering its busiest October ever for international journeys with a total of 1,032,448 travellers for the month.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the system would help underpin future growth for international airlines.

“This system will more than double our baggage handling capacity when it comes online in March, giving us the infrastructure we need to support future international growth,” he said.

“Our international passenger numbers are at record levels and with three new airlines touching down next month it’s shaping up as a really testing summer for our old baggage infrastructure.

“Installing 3.6 kilometres of new baggage tracks while maintaining 24/7 operations has been challenging, it’s like doing open heart surgery while running a marathon.

“Having an automated bag store will allow us to let passengers check-in much earlier for their flights and in the future will enable true anytime check-in, which is exciting for both airlines and travellers.”

melbourneairport.com.au