Pact for baggage handling systems

The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) in cooperation with Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) announced yesterday the signing of a contract with Vanderlande Industries BV, a global leader in baggage handling systems (BHS).

As per the agreement, Vanderlande Industries BV will design, manufacture and install a state of the art automated baggage sortation system capable of processing 4,700 bags per hour, an early bag store with capacity for at least 600 bags and eight reclaim belts.

This comes as part of a major airport overhaul in Bahrain dubbed as the Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP), which is set to elevate the Bahrain International Airport (BIA) infrastructure and services. When completed, it is expected to increase the airport’s capacity to 14 million passengers a year and revitalise much of the potential in the aviation industry in Bahrain and the northern Gulf region.

 The pact was signed at the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 (BIAS). It was attended by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Kamal Ahmed, the CEO of BAC, Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah and Govert Hamers, CEO of Vanderlande Industries BV. 

On the occasion, the Minister said, “The agreement with Vanderlande Industries BV will be at a contract value of BD11,687,583 (US$30,972,095) to enhance BIA’s operations and passenger experience. We expect the project to be completed by Q2 2019 to coincide with the opening of the first phase of the new passenger terminal building.”

BAC is responsible for managing Bahrain International Airport and increases its contribution to the national economy in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. 

Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah commented that signing the BHS contract was a key milestone in realising their plans for the AMP.