The 'Cheapest' Way to Move Baggage is Actually the Most Expensive

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Airports face a daily balancing act. Millions of bags must be moved quickly and safely, yet the physical demands on ground staff remain one of the industry’s most persistent challenges. Manual handling injuries not only affect workers’ health but also disrupt operations, costing airports and airlines valuable time and resources. 

The physical act of a baggage handler routinely lifting 20-25kg loads is physically taxing, leading to a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, strains, and fatigue. The repercussions of these injuries extend far beyond the immediate medical costs.  Industry research shows that indirect costs, such as productivity losses, insurance premium spikes, and turnover, are a staggering three to five times higher than direct injury expenses.  

The question is clear: how can airports make ground handling faster and more sustainable for operators?

For TAWI, a Piab Group company headquartered in Sweden, the answer lies in smarter lifting. With more than 800 installations across 60 airports and cruise terminals worldwide, TAWI has become a trusted partner in transforming manual handling into an ergonomic, efficient process.

The need for safer, more efficient lifting doesn’t stop at baggage and cargo. TAWI offers a wide range of lifting solutions for multiple industries. One of them – food catering. The catering trolley lifter eliminates manual strain when loading meal trays into trolleys, ensuring a safer and more ergonomic workflow in a sensitive environment.

Many in the industry remember Vaculex as the go-to brand for vacuum lifters in airports. That technology hasn’t disappeared, it’s now part of TAWI and Piab Group.

This merger brought together Vaculex’s trusted baggage-handling expertise with TAWI’s wider portfolio, including mobile lifters, container unloaders, and trolleys. Customers now benefit from:

• The same proven vacuum lifters recognised globally.
• An expanded range of ergonomic lifting tools.
• A global service and support network, ensuring fast response times.

We know that safe, efficient lifting isn’t just about equipment, it’s about people and reliability. That’s why we offer service, training, and spare parts packages: 

• Operator training: Hands-on courses teach staff how to use equipment safely, perform routine checks, and troubleshoot issues. Every participant receives a certificate of completion. 
• Spare parts and maintenance: We maintain a global inventory of spare parts (incl. spare parts for Vaculex systems) and provide preventative maintenance plans to minimise downtime. 
• Repairs and relocations: Our factory-trained technicians can repair equipment on-site or relocate systems when operations change. 

By investing in training and maintenance, airports extend equipment life and ensure seamless day-to-day operations.

Why should airports view TAWI as a partner, not just a supplier? Because our solutions create long-term value. We don’t just sell equipment; we build partnerships that improve efficiency and working conditions.

London Stansted Airport, serving over 29 million passengers a year, identified manual handling injuries as a major operational risk. Partnering with TAWI, the airport deployed an ergonomic baggage lifting solution that reduced manual handling injuries, improved baggage flow, and demonstrated clear ROI.

As airports prepare for rising passenger volumes, TAWI offers a cost-efficient first step from manual processes toward automation. Our ergonomic lifting systems deliver faster turnaround times, healthier staff, and more reliable operations. From baggage and air cargo to catering, from training to spare parts, and from Vaculex’s legacy to TAWI’s global presence, we deliver more than equipment, we deliver partnerships that lift your business forward.