A new system of automated baggage drop-off has been designed by Aeroports de Paris, Europe's second-largest airport group, to enable passengers to check in their baggage in only 30 seconds.

Simplicity, speed, autonomy and design are the master words that typify this new automated drop-off which is still under test Terminal Ouest of Paris-Orly Airport.

“This service, entirely designed by our teams, meets a double challenge: it offers airlines a system that enables smooth flow of the baggage drop-off step and it satisfies our passengers who have been asking to be increasingly self-reliant,” said François Rubichon, deputy CEO of Aéroports de Paris.

It involves a two-step check-in process – checking in and dropping baggage off.

Passengers first proceed to a self-serve kiosk to print their boarding pass, if it has not been done already.

They then go to the automated baggage area, scan the boarding card and insert their baggage into the machine. The name of owner and weight of the baggage are verified and then transmitted to the airline.

Lastly, a 'baggage receipt' is automatically delivered to passengers. A machine-integrated secure sliding door guarantees against intrusion of banned items.

In 30 seconds, the baggage is checked in and then automatically rerouted to a traditional circuit where it is to be inspected and secured before getting to its final destination, the aircraft hold.

The machine is a genuine technological innovation entirely developed by Aéroports de Paris teams, both in terms of its internal mechanism and its ergonomics and design, in close partnership with teams in charge of operating terminals.

The project is part of a more global innovation launched by the company, willing to show its leading position in the matter.

“We are in talks with other European airports to install this machine” said Bernard Cathelain, executive director, chief development officer, development & facilities.

Aéroports de Paris builds, develops and manages airports including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget.

With 83.4 million passengers handled in 2010, Aéroports de Paris is Europe's second-largest airport group in terms of airport passenger traffic and the European leader for freight and mail. – TradeArabia News Service