Baggage Handling Systems at Airports

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has selected Vanderlande as the baggage handling supplier for the Terminal 1 Redevelopment project at Singapore Changi Airport. The decision is a significant landmark in Vanderlande’s history, as it is their largest-ever baggage handling contract in the Asian market.

The upgrading of the baggage handling system at Changi Airport T1 is a brownfield project to replace the entire system while the terminal remains in operation. This will be a significant reference for Vanderlande with VIBES smart controls, two tilt-tray HELIXORTERS, high speed carriers system ICS-TUBTRAX, Crane based Early Bag Store, driven by 2,600 drives. There is an operations and maintenance (O&M) agreement during the phasing-in of the new T1 baggage handling system and options for subsequent renewals of the O&M contract. The system will be operated from a control room and maintained by a team of personnel, starting from 2016.

CAG’s Executive Vice President, Engineering and Development Mr Fong Kok Wai, says: “The upgrading of the T1 baggage handling system to a fully automated system is an important part of our expansion plans for the terminal. It supports our plans to implement self check-in and self bag-drop functions, and early check- in facilities at the terminal, enabling us to improve productivity for airlines and ground handlers, as well as to increase check-in capacity at T1. We have chosen Vanderlande because of its extensive experience in airport infrastructure projects. With this project taking place amid ongoing airport operations, we will work closely with Vanderlande to ensure smooth execution and integration with other development works at T1.”

Vanderlande’s CEO, Govert Hamers, says: “Singapore Changi Airport is a major air hub in Asia and the world’s most awarded airport, with more than 470 Best Airport awards under its belt. The selection of Vanderlande for this challenging project and long-term O&M program are an indication of the reliable partnership that has been developed between a leading airport and the world’s number one supplier of value-added automated baggage handling solutions.”