Vanderlande Baggage Handling Solutions Help Istanbul Airport Go Live
Veghel, 01 July 2019 – Vanderlande has been a key player in the successful go-live at Istanbul Airport (IST) with an integrated solution comprising a state-of-the-art baggage handling system (BHS), intelligent software and life-cycle services. İstanbul Airport is the most significant BOT (build, operate, transfer) project in the history of Turkey and has the potential to become the largest single terminal airport in the world. It will connect to more than 300 destinations and handle over 200 million travellers when all phases are complete.
Over the past month, Vanderlande’s teams have worked relentlessly to ensure a smooth ramp-up of flights in close cooperation with IGA, the consortium that further expands and operates the airport. Vanderlande has also demonstrated its global capabilities by utilizing cross-functional resources and information from its worldwide teams to transfer knowledge to the company’s local group.
Vanderlande was originally awarded the BHS project by IGA on 18 January 2016 with the last conveyor installed in December 2017. The company was selected for a number of reasons, including its reliable track record in large project execution, proven individual carrier system (ICS) solutions, experience in Turkey, and the ability to provide full operations and maintenance (O&M) support.
To meet IGA’s requirements, Vanderlande’s design included several cutting-edge technologies and the company’s globally proven VIBES software controls suite. In addition, Vanderlande has signed a five-year O&M agreement with IGA.
Within this performance-based contract, Vanderlande will assume responsibility for the IT and controls, maintenance, operations, and performance of the BHS. Operating the BHS control room, Vanderlande will oversee the baggage flows for the entire airport, while its 270-strong service team will provide 24/7 support.
“To accommodate future growth, we needed an innovative baggage handling system that was flexible and reliable,” says IGA’s CEO Kadri Samsunlu; “Vanderlande offered a solution with the most added value, as well as the necessary software solutions and life-cycle services. The fact that we awarded Vanderlande the accolade of being the best performing contractor several times illustrates it is a reliable partner, capable of managing such a large-scale project and in record time.”
Vanderlande’s Executive Vice President Airports and Member of the Board Andrew Manship confirms: “We are proud to be associated with IGA’s success, and both organisations have shared a productive partnership from the beginning. It was also highly satisfying that our project team was recognised as the ‘best performing contractor’. Thanks to everyone’s dedication, experience and professionalism, we have delivered a world-class airport to be proud of, and IGA and Vanderlande have laid the foundations for a long-term partnership.”
