Open for business – WBP News

News stories and developments from ACI World Business Partners across the globe.

Rosenbauer’s electric fire truck bound for Christchurch

Christchurch Airport has signed up to buy the world’s first Rosenbauer Electric Fire Truck to operate at an airport.

The New Zealand gateway’s head of aviation operations, Tim Morris, says that the new addition will provide another step towards Christchurch Airport having an entirely hybrid/electric fleet.

“We are keen to accelerate the airport’s transition to clean energy trucks, and in the next few years, will replace all four trucks as new Rosenbauer models become available, until our whole fleet runs on green energy,” notes Morris.

America’s first electric Rosenbauer city fire truck is working on Hollywood streets, with the manufacturer and airport both monitoring its performance. However, current testing in Europe indicates the new airport fire truck could reduce fire service diesel usage by more than 75%.

Rosenbauer Australia and New Zealand’s managing director, Arthur Weimer, enthuses: “The new truck, Rosenbauer RT, will be hybrid/electric with further developments to hydrogen in the future. That will be well placed to take advantage of the airport’s intention to include green hydrogen within Kōwhai Park.”

Morris adds: “The Rosenbauer RT Electric Fire Truck‘s new technology will give our teams the ideal combination of ‘clean energy’ operation, required compliance and fire fighting capacity at all times. Other benefits include lowering of future operational expenses due to the hybrid/electric technology with fewer moving parts and a significant savings in fuel costs.”

WFS opens new cargo terminal at Kempegowda

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has opened its air cargo terminal and cold chain facility at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India.

WFS was awarded the 15-year licence to operate the international cargo terminal and cold chain facility in June 2022 by way of a partnership with Bengaluru airport operator, Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).

It will be responsible for the development, operation, management and maintenance of the international cargo terminal and is also the exclusive operator of the dedicated cold chain facility at the Indian gateway.

Plans are already underway to double the terminal’s annual throughput to more than 250,000 tonnes per annum.

John Batten, WFS’ CEO for Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, said: “India is the sixth-largest global economy and the single-largest provider of generic drugs globally. We are confident that we can add value to the Indian air cargo industry by introducing world-class practices, safety and security standards, sustainable practices and operational excellence to drive productivity improvements and achieve greater efficiency to enhance the government of India’s National Air Cargo Policy and achieve related ambitions.”

HDR to play its part in major LAX upgrade

Los Angeles World Airports has selected an HDR-led team to provide programme management and construction management services for the landside portion of its transformative Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project (ATMP).

The far-reaching modernisation will add a new terminal, concourse and airfield upgrades at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as well as a new elevated roadway system and numerous roadway improvements.

The landside portion will be delivered through a progressive design-build approach, and HDR will assist LAWA in the overall management of the programme. Divided into two phases, the first will be generally focused on design and preconstruction services, while Phase 2 will be focused on construction.

The more than $1 billion series of landside projects that are a part of the ATMP will include designing and constructing more than 18 lane-miles of roadway, replacing the entry and exit into LAX’s Central Terminal area and adding connections to the new terminal that will also be part of the ATMP.

An elevated roadway system will separate local traffic from airport traffic to reduce neighbourhood congestion.

“The ATMP project will dramatically improve the passenger experience at LAX and requires a top-notch team to meet its aggressive timeline — aiming for substantial completion ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics,” said HDR principal program manager, Scott Jarvis, who is leading the HDR team.

“HDR looks forward to working with LAWA to deliver these roadway improvements successfully while maintaining traffic and making the transition as seamless as possible for travellers.”

Enhancing security with Smiths Detection CT Scanners

New computed tomography (CT) security scanners in Terminals 1 and 2 have made passenger and baggage checks at Munich Airport safer, faster and more convenient.

“We have subjected the technology to extensive tests, and the results are unequivocal: Passengers like the scanners because they no longer have to unpack their laptops and liquids, which makes the checks must faster,” said Bavaria’s Transport Minister, Christian Bernreiter, who was at the airport for their unveiling.

“Moreover, the CT scanners provide additional security by seamlessly and automatically detecting explosives and other dangerous items.”

Bavaria is investing more than €45 million to equip all checkpoints at Munich Airport with the modern 3D technology from Smiths Detection.

Another advantage of the new checkpoints is that more passengers can place their luggage on the belt at once, which reduces waiting times.

A double lane can thus handle up to 520 passengers an hour – an increase of around 160%.

Munich Airport CEO, Jost Lammers, says: “The new CT scanners are the next level in terms of security, fast processing and convenience. An important component in offering our guests a more pleasant travel experience.”

Air travellers in Bavaria are the first in Germany to fully benefit from the modern security technology as, in addition to the two pilot systems in use at Munich Airport’s Terminal 2 since 2019, three further screening lanes in Terminal 1 and two in Terminal 2 will go into operation at the beginning of the Whitsun holidays.

All other checkpoints will be upgraded in ten further construction phases by the start of the summer holidays in 2026, when up to 48 lanes and 60 CT scanners will be in use.

Optimising airfield safety and efficiency

Honeywell has launched an updated suite of solutions to enhance its gate, turnaround and airfield lighting portfolios.

According to Honeywell, the latest solutions will help optimise gate operations and improve situational awareness for pilots and airside operations teams, resulting in faster turnaround times for aircraft. The latest solutions were unveiled at the 2023 Airport Show in Dubai.

“Honeywell provides the latest technology solutions that help airports become more resilient, efficient and sustainable, topics that are more critical than ever as we approach the busy summer travel season,” says Alex Cowen, general manager for global airports, Honeywell Building Technologies.

“Our solutions are designed to meet the challenges that impede efficiency and safety, such as ramp obstacles, adverse weather conditions, maintenance and management of gate downtime and capacity optimisation like airport congestion.”

The expanded range of solutions include Honeywell’s NAVITAS™ Smart Visual Docking system; Turnaround Manager; Single Lamp Control & Monitoring System (ASDv5 SVL); Safety Voltage Limiter (SVL); and Loop Sensor.

The Smart Docking System incorporates advanced technologies such as sensor data fusion using AI/ML-based video and LIDAR, multi-colour ramp information display, obstacle detection and wingtip collision prevention, all-gate layouts, all-weather capability and is said to ensure low-to-no maintenance and robust cybersecurity features.

While the Loop Sensor offers localised and cyber-secure detection of various types of aircraft and vehicles, estimates their velocity and direction up to 4,000 metres away, and is capable of functioning in all weather conditions.