Working in an air cargo warehouse is a highly physical job that can strain the body, as breaking down pallets involves a lot of lifting and repetitive movements. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has put a great deal of thought into alleviating the stress, and has collaborated with Swedish supplier, LiftsAll to try out its vacuum lifting aid during build-up and break-down operations. KLM involved its cargo staff closely during two trial phases, letting them work the equipment, assess how practical it was, and suggest improvements. The aim was to make sure the technology worked not just on paper but in the everyday reality of the operation. The test phases were carried out at the KLM Cargo Hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and since they proved successful, the device has now become a permanent assistant and is in daily use at the hub since 13JUL26.
The vacuum lift takes over much of the effort of moving individual cargo boxes during pallet-breakdown. Motion-capture measurements using Movella Xsens sensors indicate that the device eliminates the lifting strain normally involved in this with task, and the vacuum lifting aid can cope with around 80% of individual boxes. There are a few exceptions such as wet boxes, however, which still have to be moved by hand.
Implementing the lift is one milestone in KLM’s Autonomous Operations program, aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of ground operations, cargo and maintenance, on a daily basis, through enhancing the skills of its staff through the opportunities that new technology offers. Charlotte Elpers, VP Worldwide Operations, KLM Cargo, commented: “At KLM Cargo, we continuously invest in innovation to drive improvements for both our customers and our people. The vacuum lift is a great example of how technology can make daily operations less physically demanding. By testing solutions together with our employees, we ensure they deliver real value in the workplace. This is exactly the kind of practical innovation we want to accelerate within KLM Cargo.”
