Anyone who flies has some sort of anxiety about their luggage not making it to their destination, as evidenced by the size of the bags passengers attempt to stuff into overhead compartments. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and IBM are teaming up to take some worry away from passengers attempting to make connecting flights for the airport.

IBM will be providing a baggage management system that uses robots to sort and handle luggage. IBM’s contributions to the project include consulting services, hardware, software, and application development for the project.

The system will also use RFID tags to help correctly route and locate luggage inside the new baggage hall being constructed called “Nieuw Zuid.” The new baggage hall is scheduled to open in 2011 and the airport wants to be able to handle 70 million pieces of luggage a year by 2018.

InformationWeek quotes officials as saying  that six robots will manage the baggage and will handle 60 percent of the loading for more efficient connections. Peter Gerreste, President and CEO of Vanderlande Industries says, “[Robots would] contribute to the ergonomic handling of bags, improving the working conditions of the people." 

"Airports and airlines see improved baggage handling as a major step towards increasing passenger satisfaction," Charles Vincent, director of IBM Travel and Transport Europe, said in a statement. "The efficiencies of the new system will cut down operating costs and improve transfer connection times for passengers at Schiphol."