Siemens to supply highly efficient baggage handling system for international airport in Bangkok
- Peak throughput of 10,800 pieces of baggage per hour
- New tray generation and powerful software to expand capacities
Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics (SPPAL) is to supply a tray-based baggage handling system and powerful software for the new satellite terminal at the International Airport of Bangkok (Thailand). The innovative tray technology from Siemens will allow the much-needed expansion of capacities: with a top speed of ten meters per second, the system in Bangkok will achieve a peak throughput of 10,800 pieces of baggage per hour. For the project, Siemens is working as technology leader with Thai infrastructure company Loxley, who integrates the system together with further partners. Bangkok's airport handled almost 61 million passengers in 2017, and is therefore among the top 25 airports in the world.
“We are delighted that with Bangkok, another major air hub in Asia has opted for our new system generation,” said Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics. With the order from Thailand, Siemens is following on from the success of the recently opened new terminal at the international airport in Incheon (South Korea) and Guangzhou (China). Siemens ongoing tray projects also include the international airport in Paris (France).
"We support the airport operator Airports of Thailand in the expansion of the Bangkok airport”, added Chalermchoke Lamsam, Managing Director of Loxley. "Together with Siemens we are making a decisive contribution to their further profitable growth."
The key to this is Siemens innovative technology. The new VarioTrays provide fast and secure transportation and sorting of baggage. The intelligent construction of the solution ensures energy efficiency which is exemplary in the whole airport industry. The conveyor belts run over rollers to prevent dynamic friction between the belts and conveyors, and the considerably reduced weight of the new trays helps to lower energy costs even further.
For bulky baggage such as surfboards, Siemens supplies special out-of-gauge trays. These extra-large trays run on the same conveyor lines as the standard baggage and are transported and sorted just as efficiently.
The satellite terminal's baggage handling system is linked to the main building via a tunnel. Over this 950-meter route, the system reaches its peak throughput of ten meters per second. Powerful Siemens software provides process control for the new baggage handling system. In addition to high-level automation and control software, this includes the programmable logic controller (PLC) for the tray system. A system for computer-based monitoring and control of all technical processes known as SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) is also being implemented.
Bangkok's international airport began operations in 2006. The new four-story satellite terminal covers 216,000 square meters and will have 28 gates. Like all midfield terminals, the satellite in Bangkok does not require any landside facilities such as ticket counters, check-ins and baggage claim areas. Instead, it uses the corresponding facilities in the main building. Siemens is implementing its proven state-of-the-art people mover to transport passengers to and from the main terminal.