Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has introduced a vacuum lifting system at its KLM Cargo Hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to reduce the physical demands of cargo handling.

Supplied by Swedish company LiftsAll, the vacuum lift is being used in KLM Cargo's build-up and break-down operation, where employees repeatedly lift and move individual boxes while breaking down pallets.

The system has been in daily use since July 13 following two test phases involving KLM Cargo employees. During the trials, employees tested the equipment in live operations and provided feedback on its usability.

Sensor measurements using Movella Xsens motion-capture technology showed the system eliminates the lifting effort associated with handling boxes during pallet breakdown. KLM Cargo said the vacuum lift can be used with approximately 80% of individual boxes. Some cargo, including wet boxes, still must be handled conventionally.

"At KLM Cargo, we continuously invest in innovation to drive improvements for both our customers and our people," said Charlotte Elpers, vice president of worldwide operations at KLM Cargo. "The vacuum lift is a great example of how technology can make daily operations less physically demanding."

Elpers said involving employees in testing helps the company determine whether new technology fits the realities of daily operations before wider deployment.

The vacuum lift is part of KLM's broader Autonomous Operations program, which is exploring technologies intended to improve work across ground operations, cargo and maintenance.