KLM Cargo unveils innovative sorting system

Jul 17, 2017: KLM Cargo officially launched a new sorting system that 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. The innovative sorter allows for faster handling of all post, express and pharmaceutical consignments.

“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,” said Marcel de Nooijer, EVP KLM Cargo.

Bertholt Leeftink, director - general Enterprise and Innovation of the ministry of Economic Affairs and Kajsa Ollongren, alderman of the municipality of Amsterdam, officially launched the sorter today with help of Marcel de Nooijer, EVP KLM Cargo, and Pieter Elbers, KLM president and CEO.

Air France and KLM are the world’s first airlines to make use of this kind of sorting system. 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 per cent 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.

Together, KLM and Air France are the world’s fifth-largest air cargo carrier. Every year, KLM and its partners carry 928 kilotons of cargo. Schiphol is Europe’s third-largest air cargo hub, after Frankfurt and Paris.