Hi-tech bag tracking trial begins at Heathrow

Airport operator BAA and Emirates have begun a trial involving the use of technology to track and monitor luggage at Heathrow Airport.

The six-month trial utilises radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to keep track of passengers' luggage at every step of Emirates travellers' journeys.

Some 50,000 bags a month are expected to be involved in the test, which will also be undertaken at Dubai Airport.

Nine Emirates check-in desks at Heathrow will see staff fit RFID-enabled tags to bags during the check-in process. The tags are embedded with chips that contain data such as the traveller's name and the route they are flying on.

As the bags pass through the airport's baggage handling system, these chips will be read by computer systems for security, sorting and other procedures.

Passengers can also opt to receive a text message on their mobile phones to inform them of their baggage reclaim belt when they arrive back at Heathrow.

"This trial enables us to embrace the latest technology for the benefit of our customers. The volume of baggage processed at airports is increasing with more people around the world flying each year," commented Vic Sheppard of Emirates.

Last year, an innovative new transit system was unveiled by Heathrow. The Personal Rapid Transit System, which will open in 2009, makes use of a fleet of low-energy "pods" that can carry passengers and luggage around the hub.

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