KLM Cargo unveils new sorting system at Schiphol

KLM Cargo has launched a new sorting system at Schiphol Airport. In a statement issued yesterday (13 July), KLM Cargo said the system can handle more than 2,000 items per hour, bound for more than 70 destinations.

The system was built in cooperation with Lödige Industries and Vanderlande and was designed to enable faster handling of all post, express and pharmaceutical consignments.

Marcel de Nooijer, EVP KLM Cargo, commented: “E-commerce is a fast-growing branch in the cargo industry. This innovative system allows us to keep pace with the rapid increase in post and express consignments. The system is faster and smarter, allowing us to offer better service to our customers.”

KLM and its affiliate Air France are the first airlines to make use of this kind of sorting system.

According to KLM: “In Paris, the system has already been a great success since its launch in April 2015. KLM opted for a same kind of system, but had to make various innovative adjustments owing to a lack of space.

“To make space for a new pier at Schiphol, one of KLM Cargo’s three warehouses had to be partly demolished. The main challenge in building the sorting system lay in accommodating existing cargo processes in 50% of the floor space. This was achieved, in part, by scaling up vertically. The storage space for containers has doubled, ensuring that there is space for growth.”