KLM Cargo introduces vacuum lift at Amsterdam hub
A vacuum lifting aid at Schiphol is reducing physical strain during pallet breakdown, supporting safer and more efficient cargo handling operations.
Vacuum lift operated at KLM Cargo Build-up & Break-down
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has introduced a vacuum lifting aid from Swedish company LiftsAll at its Build-up & Break-down operation at the KLM Cargo Hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
The technology, which is designed to reduce physical strain during cargo handling, has been in daily operation since 13 July following two successful testing phases.
Cargo handling involves repetitive physical movements, particularly during pallet breakdown. The vacuum lifting system assists employees in handling individual cargo boxes, reducing the physical effort required to lift and move shipments.
The deployment is part of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s efforts to develop a more innovative and future-ready cargo handling operation.
Charlotte Elpers, VP Worldwide Operations, KLM Cargo, said, “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.”
Initial results from the vacuum lifting aid have been positive. Sensor measurements using Movella Xsens motion capture technology found that the system eliminates the lifting effort involved in handling boxes during pallet breakdown.
The vacuum lift can be used for around 80% of individual boxes, while cargo such as wet boxes still requires conventional handling methods.
The technology was tested in two phases, during which KLM Cargo employees used the system in live operations and provided feedback on its usability. Their input helped refine the lifting aid before its deployment in daily operations.
The approach is designed to ensure that new technologies are not only technically viable but also meet employees’ needs and fit the realities of day-to-day cargo operations.
The vacuum lift forms part of KLM’s broader Autonomous Operations programme, which aims to make ground handling, cargo and maintenance activities safer, smarter and more sustainable by combining human expertise with emerging technologies.
For KLM Cargo, the initiative demonstrates how technology can deliver practical benefits for employees and improve everyday operational processes.