Vanderlande’s FLEET has been announced winner of the 2017 Inter Airport Europe Innovation Award in the interTERMINAL category. The company’s flexible baggage logistics solution based on automated guided vehicles (AGV) won the prize, seeing off strong competition to secure the accolade.
The inter airport Europe awards acknowledge the aviation industry’s best recent innovations, products and equipment, with the interTERMINAL category representing terminal operations, infrastructure and technical installations. The announcement confirms Vanderlande’s commitment to creating further business opportunities for airlines and airports.
Vanderlande’s FLEET utilises AGV technology, which replaces the need for fixed conveyors and sorting systems. Each individual vehicle carries a single bag and determines its route through an airport. Owing to its design and configuration, FLEET is scalable, flexible and resilient.
The award was voted for by the international airport community, and Vanderlande was formally presented with the first prize during the Opening and Awards Ceremony, which took place on the morning of 10 October.
The company’s board member and executive vice-president airports Andrew Manship accepted the award on Vanderlande’s behalf: "I was delighted to hear that FLEET had received this recognition. We have been working tremendously hard over the past year to develop this innovative new concept. It is with a sense of pride and satisfaction that I was able to collect the prize on behalf of my talented and dedicated colleagues."
Visitors to the exhibition, which runs until 13 October, can see a live demonstration of FLEET at booth 1030 (Hall A5), one of Vanderlande’s two stands. At booth 286 (Hall A6), the company is also showcasing its latest innovations in Advanced Passenger Checkpoint (APC) solutions.