A new handling system opens at London City Airport.
London City Airport, the capital’s premier business airport, has undergone significant growth in recent years, with a record 2.9 million passengers travelling through its terminal in 2007. To maintain its levels of service, the airport has recently undergone substantial terminal reconfiguration and apron development – the largest since it was first opened 21 years ago.
As well as improving the check-in areas and departure lounge, the baggage handling system has received an upgrade. International multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold undertook the baggage handling system design and provided structural advice for the integration of the system into the building. The system is able to handle up to 1,200 bags per hour. The system had to be in place within five months – while ensuring continuity of service
“It started out as a fast-track project, to replace the obsolete integrated hold baggage screening machines with the latest state-of-the-art Smiths Detection machines,” said Peter Noonan, project leader for Buro Happold. “But it soon became clear that additional capacity would be needed too, to accommodate up to 1,200 bags an hour, which was twice the number originally being handled. And we had to do this without building any new space, so the solution was to expand onto the recently constructed dock over Royal Victoria Dock.”
“We devised a scheme that allowed us to build the new system around the old one, and test and commission it before breaking into the existing system,” said Noonan. “We worked very closely with Atkins, the client’s project manager, and the airport’s operations and security teams to minimise disruption.”
Modular design
The design is modular, allowing for expansion as well as current demand. Options from modification and extension, to complete relocation, were considered in the design. “For future flexibility, the client also selected the new hold baggage screening machines as fully integrated machines, although one essential piece of equipment, the Out of Gauge Line (for large items), could not be part of the integrated system. So therefore we found a solution with the suppliers that allowed this machine to work as a stand alone, while retaining automatic functionality for future use,” said Noonan.
Meanwhile, Buro Happold’s design allowed for the integration of the two existing check-in lines into one system – which posed challenges as it had previously been altered three times and some of the original controls were obsolete. “This led to the need for extensive risk management, survey and analysis, which was all successfully completed in co-operation with Atkins and the suppliers,” said Noonan.
The system went into public use last month, ahead of schedule, and was formally handed over when the finishing touch – a canopy – was installed.
Commenting
On the various developments taking place at the airport site, Richard Gooding OBE, Chief Executive of London City Airport said: “Our contribution to London’s infrastructure is vital for it to maintain its role as a leading world city. These developments allow the airport to continue its successful processing of passengers to their destinations with ease.”
