Narita Airport trials clothing compression service to help travellers manage growing luggage volumes

Narita International Airport (NRT) has launched a demonstration trial of a new innovative clothing compression service designed to help travellers cope with increasing luggage volumes while on the move. The trial began on 13 January and is being conducted within the airport terminal.

Watch the video here: 

The initiative is a joint experiment between Narita Airport Company and a Tokyo based machinery manufacturer. The service uses a dedicated compression machine that removes air from clothing items, tightly compressing them in approximately one minute. Travellers can place garments directly into the machine before packing them back into their suitcases.

According to the airport operator, a thin long sleeved T shirt can be reduced to the size of a palm, while bulkier items can be compressed to roughly the size of a dictionary. Once unpacked, the compressed clothing can be washed and restored to its original form without damage.

Airport officials say the trial responds to a growing issue, as more passengers are seen reorganising luggage inside terminals. In some cases, travellers have been replacing their suitcases with larger ones and leaving their original bags behind before returning home.

The demonstration ended on 15 January. Airport representatives said the trial period will be used to evaluate passenger demand and operational feasibility before deciding on wider implementation.

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