Leonardo’s long-term experience with Groupe ADP (formerly known as Aéroports de Paris) has been undeniably positive. Since the collaboration began in 2019, Leonardo has been able to grow and adapt to the unique business and tender processes of the French-speaking market. France, second only to Italy, where the company is headquartered, has the highest number of airports utilising Leonardo’s turnkey baggage handling solutions.
This partnership with ADP underscores Leonardo’s global role as a system integrator, providing comprehensive baggage handling solutions for both brownfield and greenfield projects. From check-in through security checks to the automatic sorting of bags and baggage claim carousels, Leonardo’s offerings encompass both hardware and software, including advanced ATR (automatic tag readers) with OCR (optical character recognition) capabilities. This holistic approach ensures seamless operations and high performance throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Emmanuel Lefevre, Groupe ADP and Riccardo Majorana, Leonardo
Leonardo’s advanced cross belt sorter technology exemplifies this commitment, streamlining handling processes, optimising throughput, and minimising delays and errors. This dedication to quality is aligned with Leonardo’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, and it consistently delivers high customer satisfaction. Each system developed by Leonardo is customised to meet the specific needs of its clients, providing not just technology but complete solutions that enhance operational efficiency.
ADP continues to recognise the exceptional value Leonardo provides, particularly in after-sales maintenance services. Leonardo’s commitment to high performance is evident in its continuous on-site presence, anticipating and promptly addressing any issues that may arise. This new phase of the partnership emphasises a shared dedication to delivering outstanding service and support, reinforcing the strong foundation of collaboration with ADP.
Leonardo continues to improve the product year-on-year. Updates take customers’ needs into consideration, for example space constraints
Leonardo’s reputation in the automation sector as a leader in innovative baggage handling solutions is well-deserved. The partnership with ADP is a prime example of how strategic collaborations can drive advancements in aviation infrastructure. As airports face growing passenger volumes and increasing demands, Leonardo’s scalable, high-performance solutions are poised to lead the way in modernising the industry, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and exceptional service for years to come.
The heart of the partnership
Since 2019, Leonardo’s innovative multisorting baggage handling system (MBHS) cross-belt sorter technology has been a cornerstone of ADP’s efforts to modernise and enhance the efficiency of its airport operations. Riccardo Majorana of Leonardo spoke to Emmanuel Lefevre of Groupe ADP about the companies’ fruitful collaboration on advanced baggage handling solutions. Their discussion explores the key projects, the benefits of Leonardo’s technology, and future plans for baggage handling systems at ADP facilities, shedding light on how this partnership is driving improvements in passenger experience and operational performance.
The MBHS can handle all types of baggage, including fragile bags or those with high-friction or sticky surfaces, prominent wheels or irregular shapes
What projects have Groupe ADP and Leonardo worked on?
Since our longstanding interest in disruptive technology, the first MBHS cross-belt sorter was installed at Paris-Orly Airport in March 2021. Building on this success, we commissioned two additional MBHS cross-belt sorters at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in May 2024, with three more being installed at present as part of the ECAC Standard 3 baggage screening implementation.
Why does ADP keep returning to Leonardo for its baggage handling needs?
The MBHS cross-belt sorter offers reliability, adaptable throughput, and versatility for installation in constrained spaces, particularly in brownfield projects. Additionally, its maintenance is straightforward and cost-effective, making it an ideal choice for our operations.
How would you rate Leonardo’s new MBHS, which has just gone into operation?
The latest MBHS, operational at T2C (a sub-terminal at CDG) for less than two months, is performing excellently during its running-in period, having already efficiently sorted 250,000 bags. Facing increased summer traffic – not least that caused by the Olympic Games – we were confident in its ability to handle the demand effectively.
The MBHS can handle all types of baggage, including fragile bags or those with high-friction or sticky surfaces, prominent wheels or irregular shapes
What advantages do you expect from the MBHS and what benefits are delivered to passengers?
Leonardo's MBHS technology ensures better operational performance, including continuity of operations, reduced conveying hazards,improved sorting quality, and faster processing times. This enhances the customer experience at the group’s airports and contributes to better economic performance through increased reliability.
Besides the cross-belt sorter, what other positives have you seen from the relationship?
Over the course of our projects, we have seen significant progress in mutual understanding between our teams. The feedback from the initial operation at Paris-Orly allowed Leonardo to better understand Groupe ADP’s expectations and adapt to our specific constraints. This has fostered trust and improved project management and hazard resolution.
Leonardo’s multisorting baggage handling system (MBHS) cross-belt sorter in operation at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
What’s next for baggage handling systems at Groupe ADP facilities?
To support the evolving air traffic and ensure the best conditions for passengers, Groupe ADP continuously invests in its infrastructure, particularly in its complex baggage sorting facilities. Recently, we conducted a request for information (RFI) to identify sector players and technical-economic solutions to enhance the baggage handling systems’ performance at CDG. Our main objectives are to improve sorter connectivity for better transfer bag performance and to renovate a critical sorter for the Air France Hub while maintaining its operation.
