An airport’s choice of baggage handling system (BHS) supplier will shape operational performance for decades – if it chooses wisely.
In the area of sustainability, the choice is particularly crucial.
Beyond throughput, footprint and integration, the right system and supplier can also contribute meaningfully to the airport’s long-term ESG ambitions.
“What should we expect from our BHS supplier?” is therefore one of the most important questions an airport should ask before issuing a tender or signing a contract.
The answer will affect everything from purchase and installation to daily operations and OPEX, as well as how long the system performs before any major overhaul.
By evaluating needs with an experienced system provider, airports can choose a partner whose life-cycle commitment keeps OPEX in check and sustains both operational excellence and measurable ESG performance for decades.
Despite its central role in airport operations, a BHS is often overlooked in sustainability strategies.
In fact, in the 2024 report ‘Environment, Social, and Governance: An Introduction to Performance and Risk Management Metrics for North American Airports’, published by Airports Council International – North America, BHS isn’t mentioned at all.
But a modern BHS is far more than a mechanical process for moving luggage. When it is well-designed, it can directly support an airport’s ESG vision and accelerate progress towards sustainability targets.
From energy consumption and maintenance efficiency to data visibility for ESG reporting, the right system can become a measurable contributor to ESG performance.
Short-term, low-cost BHS simply can’t compete when evaluated in this broader strategic context.
When weighing up suppliers, airports should look for more than technical specifications.
The most valuable terms you can hear as a buyer are variations of ‘partnership’ – phrases like close collaboration, life-cycle commitment and tailored support.
A genuine partner will remain engaged far beyond commissioning, providing predictive maintenance and optimisation services that extend the system’s life-cycle and render optimal performance.
The right kind of partner will ensure the system evolves with the airport’s needs, not against them, helping the BHS to avoid costly mid-life overhauls or premature replacement.
Well-designed systems will operate effectively for decades, adapting to both operational changes and ESG requirements over time, but low-cost systems rarely offer such resilience.
In the bigger picture, resilience is important as it directly supports both environmental and financial sustainability.
The design considerations of a BHS supplier should go beyond baggage volumes. The system designer should provide a system that is:
Crucially, a high-performing BHS will generate mountains of data, enabling airports to track performance metrics and feed them directly into their ESG reporting.
With the right backend systems, airports can measure energy use and operational efficiency, along with the maintenance impact of an entire life-cycle.
These insights aren’t just operational, as they help airports to demonstrate progress towards ESG targets and align with international reporting standards.
Airports are increasingly aligning their ESG strategies with frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This often means committing to targets in areas such as:
The right kind of BHS supplier will bring a systematic, data-driven approach to supporting these goals. They will set ambitious but achievable performance targets, measure progress accurately and provide transparent reporting.
And vitally, they will have the backend capacity – from predictive analytics to service engineering – to deliver on these commitments consistently over the system’s operational life.
A serious supplier will hold itself – and the whole of its supply chain – to high standards with a supplier code of conduct. This will cover everything from health and safety to labour rights, environmental responsibility and ethical business practices.
This isn’t just a document. It will be actively enforced through regular audits, and the findings will be shared transparently.
Close collaboration with partners ensures that sustainability commitments are applied consistently across every stage of the supply chain – from raw materials to final installation.
A modern BHS is more than a baggage conveyor. Rather, it’s an operational backbone with the potential to advance an airport’s ESG vision for decades. The right supplier will design for longevity, optimise for efficiency, enable transparent performance data and operate as a true long-term partner.
In addition, an airport should expect:
In an era where sustainability reporting is as critical as on-time departures, choosing a supplier who can meet these expectations isn’t just good practice, it’s a strategic advantage. The first step is recognising the role BHS can play in ESG performance; the second is choosing a supplier who can turn that potential into measurable results.
