Baggage Handling: Passenger and Baggage Processing at Air Terminals

Abstract

Basic requirements for the processing of passengers and baggage at air terminals are reviewed. Mechanized baggage handling systems presently (1963) used in Europe and the United States of America are evaluated in terms of capacity, speed of operation, economy and passenger convenience. Layout of terminal buildings to facilitate the flow of passengers and baggage is discussed. The short-term peak load is the basis for the selection and design of handling facilities. Separate facilities for the handling of arriving, transfer and departing baggage are required in most cases. Loading and unloading of baggage at the aircraft and transportation to and from the terminal are major cost and time factors in the handling process. Preloaded flight containers can reduce the time and costs for these operations. Gate check-in processing of passengers is feasible on routes with small amounts of baggage and relatively little transfer traffic. Central check-in facilities are required for terminals with a large proportion of long haul and transfer traffic. Supermarket-type counters have been found especially efficient for central check-in. The advantages of special check-in and free check-in procedures are discussed.