Optimization of the use of the available volume in a flying wing for commercial passenger transport, in particular for short- or medium-haul routes. A flying wing is provided including a passenger cabin together with at least one hold for the transport of luggage and/or goods, in which the hold is positioned laterally relative to said passenger cabin.

A system for loading articles into a container is provided, comprising a platform unit and an elevator unit configured to adjust its elevation relative to the container and a platform unit comprising an opening facing the container and defining an edge of the platform unit, a transfer arrangement comprising a plurality of parallel independent transfer members defining a receiving surface and extending along a loading direction transverse to the edge and configured to move of the others, and a positioning arrangement to orient the article to a loading orientation on the receiving surface and position it at a predetermined loading position along an axis perpendicular to the loading direction. The transfer arrangement is configured to extend a subset of the transfer members in the loading direction through the opening, thereby facilitating placement of the article at a predetermined location within the container.

Conveyor system for the transporting of goods items, with one or more transport units, each of which comprises a load carrying means for accommodating a transport container, the transport units being movable along a conveyor track in or opposite to a direction of conveying, with at least one discharge facility for discharging an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item onto the load carrying means of a transport unit, and at least one retrieval facility for retrieving an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item from a load carrying means of a transport unit, where the transport containers comprise first, or small, transport containers with a first length and a first width, which is smaller than the first length, at least two of which may in each case be accommodated next to one another on a load carrying means of a transport unit with their longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of conveying, and where each transport unit is provided with a first retaining means and each small transport container is provided with a second retaining means, the first retaining means being designed to interact with the second retaining means of one or more small transport containers accommodated transversely to the direction of conveying, and to restrict movement of a small transport container in or transversely to the direction of conveying relative to the load carrying means in a predetermined measure; and method for the transporting of goods items using the conveyor system.

A device for automatic detection of whether an item is correctly routed is provided, the item including at least one radio frequency tag, wherein the device includes an RF communication mechanism for receiving at least one reading from the RF tag, the device being adapted to be arranged at a read point in proximity of the conveying mechanism, which conveying mechanism is operable to transport the item towards a destination, wherein the device is configured to extract identification and/or destination information from the reading received from the item on the conveying mechanism crossing past the device and to verify whether the item is correctly routed. Also, provided is a method for automatic detection of whether an item is correctly routed.

Examples are disclosed that relate to automated tracking of aircraft turnaround. One example provides a method, comprising obtaining object classification data for a plurality of image frames, the object classification data comprising location data for a fuselage of the aircraft and location data for a loadable object, determining a first distance between the fuselage and the loadable object in a first frame of the plurality of image frames, and determining a second distance between the fuselage and the loadable object in a second, later frame of the plurality of image frames. The method further comprises determining that the loadable object is being loaded based at least on the second distance being less than the first distance, or determining that the loadable object is being unloaded based at least on the second distance being greater than the first distance, and outputting the determination.

Systems and methods are provided for handling luggage. One exemplary system includes an interface that receives input from a check-in system that indicates sizes and weights for pieces of luggage that are each associated with a unique identifier; and a controller that selects a delivery, identifies pieces of luggage for the delivery, correlates the delivery with dimensions of a cargo hold of a vehicle servicing the delivery, receives input indicating a loading restriction for loading luggage into the cargo hold, and generates a baggage map. The baggage map is based on the sizes and the weights of the pieces of luggage for the delivery, indicates a location for each piece of luggage for the delivery within the cargo hold, and complies with the loading restriction. The system further includes a memory that stores the baggage map.

An aircraft hold including a device for automated processing of luggage is provided. The device includes at least one automated arm for handling the luggage. The automated arm, which is mounted so as to be able to move in translation along the longitudinal axis of the hold of the aircraft includes a head for grasping an item of luggage. A wrapper for packaging an item of luggage for the automated processing of the item of luggage is also provided. The wrapper is in the form of a protective film and includes a grasping surface separate from but secured to the protective film. A method for automated processing of luggage in an aircraft is provided.

The present invention relates to baggage handling systems and in particular a platform for moving baggage in multiple directions and methods of using the same with baggage carts and a baggage handling system to reduce human interaction and intervention with the baggage and for tracking of baggage.

A device for automatic detection of whether an item is correctly routed is provided, the item including at least one radio frequency tag, wherein the device includes an RF communication mechanism for receiving at least one reading from the RF tag, said device being adapted to be arranged at a read point in proximity of the conveying mechanism, which conveying mechanism is operable to transport the item towards a destination, wherein the device is configured to extract identification and/or destination information from the reading received from the item on the conveying mechanism crossing past the device and to verify whether the item is correctly routed. Also, provided is a method for automatic detection of whether an item is correctly routed.

An airport is provided which is compact and which is such as to facilitate efficient movements of aircraft into and out of parked positions and to also facilitate movements of passengers. Aircraft can be moved in a forward direction both when entering and when exiting each parked position. Loading/unloading means include escalators that move passengers between underground gate areas and landings at about ground level and also include ramp structures that can move passengers between the landings and openings in the fuselage of a parked aircraft. Structures illuminate gate areas and landings of the loading/unloading means and extend above ground level but such structures and the ramp structures are so designed that neither interferes with movements of aircraft into and out of parked positions. The parked positions can be located in rows with aisles between such rows for movement of aircraft. The gate areas underlie and correspond to the parked positions and are thereby located in rows with aisles between rows for movements of passengers to and from and between gate areas. Passengers can thereby move through minimal distances either when departing or when arriving and either exiting the airport or moving between gate areas to depart on another aircraft.