Amadeus leads major self-service upgrade as Melbourne Airport adopts next-gen bag-drop technology

(NEWS) MADRID, Spain, 2025-Dec-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Amadeus is set to transform the passenger experience at Melbourne Airport, as stated in the company’s official announcement, with more than 70 Seamless Bag Drop S7 Air and S7 Air Hybrid units scheduled for deployment — representing the newest generation of its self-service technology. The installation marks a significant step toward a more automated check-in journey at Australia’s busiest 24-hour airport, handling over 35 million passengers in 2024.

The partnership will replace and modernize the airport’s entire self-serve baggage infrastructure, introducing a side-loading design that allows passengers to handle luggage more naturally and easily, particularly when traveling with pushchairs, oversized baggage, or when using mobility aids. The new units automatically detect mispositioned bags and those requiring tubs, reducing manual intervention and helping cut wait times during busy peaks.

Around half of the units are hybrid-enabled, allowing Melbourne Airport to switch between full self-service and staffed operation depending on real-time demand — a move expected to boost throughput and improve terminal flow across both domestic and international zones.

“We’re excited to be working so closely with Melbourne Airport as they transform self-service for passengers and roll out a new seamless bag drop experience,” said Sarah Samuel, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Air Ops at Amadeus, who described the Series 7 platform as the most accessible and inclusive bag drop solution the company has released to date.

Melbourne Airport says the deployment is aligned with a wider focus on accessibility and traveler autonomy. “We’re proud to be the first airport in Australia to introduce Amadeus’ latest and most advanced bag drop technology,” said Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos. “Accessibility is a key focus for us… these machines will make it easier for passengers with accessibility needs to check in thanks to the latest audio and visual interfaces.”

The upgrade follows a broader movement across global hubs to increase automation and self-directed travel, with Melbourne joining a wave of airports shifting toward tech-supported passenger journeys. The Series 7 rollout is expected to enhance check-in efficiency today, while laying the groundwork for future digital innovations, including biometric processing already emerging elsewhere in Australia.