BAA and Emirates have begun a six-month trial of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) baggage tagging system at London Heathrow.
The technology tracks bags at every stage of their journey and, if trials are successful, could become the norm at UK airports.
The £150,000 trial will test the effectiveness and benefits of RFID against the airport’s existing barcode tracking system.
The trial is expected to track around 50,000 bags per month for passengers travelling with Emirates to and from Dubai, and transferring through Heathrow.
A duplicate of the Heathrow system has been installed at Dubai Aiport.
Stephen Challis, head of product development, BAA Heathrow, said the system could “significantly improve the efficiency of Heathrow’s baggage system”.
RFID equipment has been installed at nine Emirates check-in desks, with staff applying tags containing RFID chips to bags as part of the normal check-in process.
The chips contain stored information including the passengers name and route.
Departing passengers will be invited by BAA staff to voluntarily register their mobile telephone details to receive a text message alert on arrival at Heathrow with details of their baggage reclaim belt.
By Bev Fearis
