INNOVATING BAGGAGE HANDLING TOGETHER
BOOST is a collaborative innovation program on baggage handling in the aviation ecosystem. 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.
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Innovating Baggage Handling Together
BOOST is a collaborative innovation program on baggage handling in the aviation ecosystem. 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.
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Baggage handling is under pressure: rising costs, challenging working conditions, outdated systems. Airports, airlines, and handlers all face it—but tackling it alone takes time. BOOST is how we speed things up.
We unite industry leaders to share knowledge, test real solutions, and scale what works. Through robotics and automation, we’re making baggage handling faster, safer, and smarter for everyone.
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No more silos. No more slow fixes
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Lowering the boundaries for innovative tech
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More ecosystem thinking
BOOST is a collaboration in action - designed to move the industry forward. Driven by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Incheon Airport, Heathrow, Avinor and Brussels Airport, supported by nlmtd.
Why BOOST?
2025
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.
What’s changing?
From manual planning → to digital end-to-end orchestration
Smarter, data-driven coordination eliminates inefficiencies.
From heavy manual labor → to automated solutions
No more hands on bags. Safer, better work environments.
From fragmented processes → to airport-led coordination
Seamless, scalable baggage management across the board.
From flight-based operations → to load unit-based thinking
Boosting reliability, flow, and operational efficiency.
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.
What’s changing?
From manual planning → to digital end-to-end orchestration
Smarter, data-driven coordination eliminates inefficiencies.
From heavy manual labor → to automated solutions
No more hands on bags. Safer, better work environments.
From fragmented processes → to airport-led coordination
Seamless, scalable baggage management across the board.
From flight-based operations → to load unit-based thinking
Boosting reliability, flow, and operational efficiency.
White paper loading..
Why BOOST?
Baggage handling is under pressure: rising costs, challenging working conditions, outdated systems. Airports, airlines, and handlers all face it—but tackling it alone takes time. BOOST is how we speed things up.
We unite industry leaders to share knowledge, test real solutions, and scale what works. Through robotics and automation, we’re making baggage handling faster, safer, and smarter for everyone.
-
No more silos. No more slow fixes
-
Lowering the boundaries for innovative tech
-
More ecosystem thinking
BOOST is a collaboration in action - designed to move the industry forward
Driven by major airports like Schiphol, Heathrow, Incheon, Avinor, and Brussels, supported by nlmtd.
Our Solutions
Our Solutions
Executing pilots and sharing all insight
We test and refine new technologies through real-world pilots at airports - openly sharing insights and best practices within the collaboration.
Shaping a shared vision
of the future
The future is automated. Together, we've defined a clear vision and roadmap to transition from today’s baggage systems to tomorrow’s smarter, more efficient operations.
Creating a roadmap for the industry
We turn learnings from pilots into white papers, blueprints, and articles—accessible to the entire ecosystem. Airports, airlines, handlers, and suppliers all benefit from a shared path forward.
Competing loading robots at schiphol
Our pilots and use cases put innovation to the test - on the ground at participating airports, from robotics to automations to smarter workflows, each proof of concepthelps refine real baggage handling solutions- so we can scale what works across the industry.
All the proof of conducts so far:
Proof of concepts
Our pilots and use cases put innovation to the test—on the ground at participating airports.
From robotics to automation to smarter workflows, each Proof of Concept helps refine real baggage handling solutions—so we can scale what works across the industry.
AGV in baggage halls
Can AGVs carry the load? Real-world ULD transport in Brussels Pier A
We’re testing how an Automated Guided Vehicle can move ULDs inside Brussels Pier A’s baggage hall— a space not originally designed for autonomous vehicles, but ideal for learning.
Can it work in tight spaces, adapt to messy real-world conditions, and make life easier for handlers? That’s what this proof-of-concept is all about.
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.
Our POC'S
Our pilots and use cases put innovation to the test - on the ground at participating airports, from robotics to automations to smarter workflows, each proof of concepthelps refine real baggage handling solutions- so we can scale what works across the industry.
All the proof of conducts riso far:
Meet the team
Get in touch with our program management team or the participating airports.
We’re here to support you in driving baggage handling innovation —let’s move forward, together.
Wopke Dost
NLMTD
Dennis van Kleef
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Yorick Buys
Brussels Airport
Idar Sorgjerd
Avinor
Jamie Ratcliffe
Heathrow
Juhyang Choi
Incheon Airport
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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
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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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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.