Catering for a large number of low-fare carriers, including easyJet, LOT, Norwegian, Ryanair, Vueling, Eurowings and airBaltic, Hamburg Airport has launched its fully automated baggage drop, which will benefit passengers by giving them increased independence and flexibility at departure.
Baggage Drop Automaten_Terminal 1
Since the start of November 2017, 10 self-service bag drop kiosks have been installed at the airport as well as four self-service check-in desks. Developed and manufactured by MaternaGmbH in Dortmund, the self-service kiosks are designed to provide services for all airlines, but are currently only for use with passengers flying with easyJet, Air France and KLM.
Commenting on the new service, Johannes Scharnberg, director of aviation at Hamburg Airport said: “Already after just a short period of operation, we can see that our passengers are not having any problems with the new equipment.” Adding that so far passengers have been “very happy” with the new kiosks she went on to state that:
Many of our passengers have already discovered the benefits of the kiosks for themselves and have given us very positive feedback. We have hardly encountered any technical anxiety on the part of our passengers. The system is straightforward and self-explanatory. Staff are on hand to provide personal support with the process at any time. So nobody needs to worry about being stuck with a machine and no human help.
Although self-service bag drops were introduced at Hamburg three years ago, the new kiosks have enhanced features such as baggage classification, explains Reinhard Augustin, sales director at Materna. “The kiosks immediately detect items that shouldn’t be conveyed using the automated baggage transportation system… The passenger is then informed via the display that the item is to be checked as oversized baggage. This applies, for example, to folded strollers and prams, as well as to trekking backpacks with dangling shoulder straps that could block the conveyor system,” Augustin said.
A further advantage for passengers is the large number (10) of kiosks available, making passenger processing even quicker. Previously passengers flying with easyJet could only drop baggage at one kiosk.
Underlining the importance of ensuring a seamless passenger experience, Scharnberg added that reduced waiting times and shorter walking distances mean passengers have more time to relax before the journey. “Passengers no longer have to wait for the check-in counters to open. They can experience the airport as the positive starting point for the entire travel chain. They have more time to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere,” she said before adding that “airlines also benefit from our extended services, which enable them to offer a more relaxed service to their customers.”
