Sharjah International Airport to install automated baggage management system

On 06 January 2016, Sharjah Aviation Services announced it would introduce a new communication and automated baggage management system at Sharjah International Airport. Developed by air technology company SITA, the new systems aim to improve the reliability, security and speed of baggage delivery.

With more than 4.5 million departing bags handled at United Arab Emirates (UAE) third busiest airport each year, the new system will provide the airport’s ground handler with the latest baggage reconciliation services and full visibility and tracking capabilities within the airport. It will also simplify the exchange of baggage-related information between the airport and airlines.

Automated baggage management system will manage the 4.5 million departing bags each year

Mohammad Al Zaghlawan, General Manager at Sharjah Aviation Services, said: “Having significant transfer traffic, automation of our baggage processes and reconciliation became fundamental to our business as it can easily make or break a passenger’s travel experience. For this reason, we chose SITA’s baggage technology; it is proven and tested worldwide. These new systems will give us an assurance that every passenger and their bags are on the same flight as well as the ability to identify issues before they result in a delay. This technology investment is critical to delivering the experience our customers have come to expect at Sharjah International Airport.” 

Hani El-Assaad, SITA President, Middle East, India, and Africa said: “Working together with Sharjah Aviation Services, we are delivering a more efficient baggage service at one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing airports. SITA’s baggage management systems are used by 200 airports and 500 airlines around the world and have been proven to reduce the level of mishandled baggage and the costs associated with it. Now airlines and passengers at Sharjah International Airport can look forward to an improved baggage experience.”

According to SITA, it will be installing its BagManager and BagMessage systems which will provide ‘updates and exchange of information on the loading, reconciling, tracking and tracing of baggage, resulting in improved operational efficiency and oversight from the moment a passenger drops their baggage to when they collect it at their destination.’

The installation of the automated baggage management system is now underway and is expected to go live within the first quarter of 2016.