BOOST is a collaborative innovation program on baggage handling for airports, airlines and handlers. By embracing robotics and automation, we eliminate the physical strain on baggage workers and enhance operational efficiency. Together we're shaping the future of baggage handling.
Innovating Baggage Handling Together
OUR MISSION
Baggage handling is at a turning point, with rising costs, inefficiencies, and the need for improved workflows and working conditions. Traditionally, airports have faced these challenges alone—but collaboration is the way forward.
BOOST brings together leading airports—Royal Schiphol Group, Avinor, Incheon Airport, Brussels Airport, and Heathrow—to drive innovation through robotics and automation. By working together, we improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer, more sustainable working environment for baggage handlers.
Our Solutions
BOOST tackles the challenges of baggage handling through a collaborative and innovative approach that integrates automation, robotics, and smart technology.
Driving automation and process optimization through collaborative projects. Sharing insights and best practices across participating airports to accelerate innovation.
Joint innovation projects & knowledge sharing
Evaluating and refining new technologies through hands-on testing in operational environments. Opening up the ecosystem for new technology players and integrating solutions with handlers and airlines to ensure seamless adoption.
Pilots & real-world testing of new technologies
Expanding proven innovations across airports while strengthening collaboration between airports, handlers, airlines, and technology providers. Creating a future-proof, industry-wide approach to baggage handling.
Scaling Successful Solutions to strengthen the Ecosystem
WHITEPAPER LOADING..
Transitioning to the next era of baggage innovation.
We believe the future of baggage handling lies in automation, digital orchestration, and a fundamental shift in operations. By embracing these changes, we can create a smarter, more efficient, and worker-friendly system.
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From manual planning to digital end-to-end orchestration. Eliminating efficiencies with smarter, data-driven coordination.
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From heavy manual labor to automated solutions. No hands on bags. Providing better work
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From fragmented processes to airport-led coordination. Enabling seamless, scalable baggage management
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From a flight-oriented approach to a load unit-based process Increasing reliability and operational efficiency. Focus on reliable operation
STAY AHEAD OF THE SHIFT
The future is coming! Our white paper is on the way—unveiling key insights and strategies to transform baggage handling. Stay tuned for the release!
PROOF OF CONCEPTS
Our Proof of Concepts showcase real-world trials at participating airports, testing cutting-edge baggage handling solutions. These trials refine automation, robotics, and workflow optimization to ensure smooth, efficient operations before scaling industry-wide.
Brussels
ULD transport via Autonomous Ground Vehicles in a baggage hal - by Brussels Airport.
Exploring how the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) can optimize ULDs transport in the limited space of Brussels Airport's Pier A. This proof of concept evaluates scalability, safety, and energy efficiency, offering key insights to enhance operational efficiency and drive future innovations in baggage handling.
Schiphol
Schiphol and the baggage handlers are commited to improve working conditions through extensive automation and robotization. The transportation of Load Units (LU’s) to and from automated make up positions is still done manually, leading to inefficient use of space and assets, as robots cannot operate when full LU’s are not removed and empty trains block make up positions. Furthermore, the manual transportation of LU’s maintains the current dependency on human workers in todays tight labor market. AV’s or AGV’s can provide a continuous flow of empty LU’s, allowing loading robots to work uninterrupted.
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Meet the team.
Get in touch with our program management team or one of the leads from the participating airports.
We’re happy to help you on the baggage journey forward and support you in driving innovation and efficiency in baggage handling.
Our Solution
Joint innovation projects & knowledge sharing
Driving automation and process optimization through collaborative projects. Sharing insights and best practices across participating airports to accelerate innovation.
Pilots & real-world testing of new technologies
Evaluating and refining new technologies through hands-on testing in operational environments. Opening up the ecosystem for new technology players and integrating solutions with handlers and airlines to ensure seamless adoption.
Scaling Successful Solutions to strengthen the Ecosystem
Expanding proven innovations across airports while strengthening collaboration between airports, handlers, airlines, and technology providers. Creating a future-proof, industry-wide approach to baggage handling.
BOOST tackles the challenges of baggage handling through a collaborative and innovative approach that integrates automation, robotics, and smart technology. In everything we do, this is at the core of our solution:
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People – Reducing physical strain and improving working conditions
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Product – Implementing cutting-edge automation and robotics
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Process – Optimizing workflows for seamless operations
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Event 1
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
News 1
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Insight 1
NEWS & Events
SIGN UP BAGGAGE OF THE FUTURE 2025 EVENT
About Boost
CHALLENGES
The baggage handling ecosystem is at a crossroads, facing unique challenges at each airport but also grappling with many common obstacles that transcend borders. These include inefficiencies, rising costs, and the pressing need to improve both operational workflows and working conditions. Historically, airports have tackled these issues independently, but a new era of collaboration is emerging—one that redefines how we approach baggage handling.
The BOOST programme is a pioneering initiative that invites like-minded airports to come together to address these shared challenges. The collaboration between Royal Schiphol Group, Avinor, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Brussels Airport exemplifies this vision. Focused on robotics and automation, these airports are working collectively to eliminate the physical strain on baggage workers while improving operational efficiency.
SOLUTIONS
This document comprises the shared vision on the future of baggage handling driven by the airport partners in BOOST. It includes an analysis of the key bottlenecks within the current process, paired with potential solutions to be the fundamentals of the design for the future state of baggage handling. By embracing a collective approach, we can move beyond incremental improvements to deliver sustainable, scalable innovations that benefit workers, passengers, and the broader aviation ecosystem. Together, we transform baggage handling into a model of efficiency, innovation, and global partnership.
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Voorbeeldtekst
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Impressive Stories
Incheon
Making everything from nothing
Brussels
Making everything from nothing
Avinon
Making everything from nothing
Global Partnership
We started this collaboration on the soil of the Netherlands, with a leading role of Royal Schiphol Group. Quickly Brussels Airport and Avinor stepped into the program and gave the collaboration immediate substance. Quicly followed by Incheon and Heathrow airport we now are benefitting from a multiple continent collaboration.