The Netherland’s Vanderlande has won a contract to execute a significant upgrade to the baggage-handling system (BHS) at Brussels Airport.
The agreement constitutes a key part of a 20-year framework agreement signed between the Brussels Airport Company (BAC) and Vanderlande in March 2019. The proposed operational improvements will enable the airport to handle an expected growth in annual passenger numbers from 25 million to 40 million within the next 25 years.
To continue to deliver compliant airport operations and aeronautical infrastructure on a daily basis, Brussels Airport is rolling out a large-scale investment program. This includes the replacement of the existing conventional BHS with Vanderlande’s TUBTRAX technology, an upgrade to the high-level controls, and the integration of new hold-baggage-screening (HBS) machines to comply with the latest EU Standard 3 regulations.
The new BHS system will connect the existing check-in and transfer areas with the new HBS systems and the existing sorters, make-up carousels and the sortation area in Pier A. By transporting one item of baggage per tote, TUBTRAX ensures complete track and trace of each piece of luggage at any time, regardless of its location in the system.
On this project, Vanderlande will cooperate closely with ENGIE Fabricom Airport Solutions, a key supplier in respect to BHS-related activities at Brussels Airport. In addition, integration of the new system will be executed during live operations at the airport, requiring substantial experience in terms of both hardware and software.