Singapore Changi Airport – a Headline Partner of FTE APEX Asia Expo, Singapore, 19-20 November 2024 – has welcomed completion of the new baggage handling system in Terminal 2 by BEUMER Group (a Strategic Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group).
The enhancements to the Terminal 2 baggage handling system are part of the terminal’s expansion project, which began in 2020 with the aim of increasing handling capacity, enhancing facilities and deploying more efficient systems in response to growing passenger numbers. As air travel is predicted to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, the reopening of Terminal 2 in November 2023 was particularly timely. The expansion project has added five million passengers per year to Changi’s capacity, bringing the airport’s total handling capacity to 90 million.
“The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in a severe labour crunch in Singapore, which initially impacted the progress of the T2 BHS redevelopment project,” says Hwee Onn Teng, Group Senior Vice President (Engineering Management & Systems Planning), Changi Airport Group (CAG). “As Terminal 2 was subsequently closed due to the pandemic, CAG collaborated with BEUMER Group to absorb Terminal 2’s maintenance team into the T2 BHS redevelopment project. This not only helped to preserve the jobs of the maintenance team and enabled Changi Airport to bounce back strongly once travel restrictions were eased, it also alleviated the manpower shortage situation faced by the project team. This would not have been possible without the strong support and collaborative spirit of BEUMER Group’s management team.”
Refurbishment of the terminal’s existing tilt-tray sorter-based baggage handling system (BHS) has been central to making the terminal fit for the future. BEUMER Group has modernised the system mechanically and upgraded the control software to deliver higher reliability and efficiency. In addition, BEUMER Group has undertaken renewal of associated equipment comprising conveyors, carousels, early bag storage (EBS) system, and control system hardware and software, as well as interfacing with a new FAST self-service check-in system provided by the airport. The new control system also features advanced digital applications, particularly those linked to smart sensors and data analytics, that will help boost baggage handling process optimisation.
The new BHS incorporates a brand-new CrisStore rack-based storage system to improve baggage handling capacity, accuracy and security. This serves as a dynamic EBS system in which loading lanes replace the need for multiple make-up positions. The Terminal 2 EBS at Changi Airport now has storage capacity for 2,400 bags and includes 1,200m of CrisBag, BEUMER Group’s individual carrier system for baggage conveyance. This technology is already familiar to Changi Airport, which uses CrisBag systems in Terminals 3 and 4.
“For me, the Changi Terminal 2 project has been a benchmark example of how true partnership working can lead to great success,” said Ronald Willems, Airport Divisional Director, BEUMER Group. “From the outset, our teams of experts have been working together to come up with the best solution for Changi from a planning, execution and technology perspective. Despite the major interference caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to complete the project ahead of time and to the satisfaction of our valued customer, which has been our ultimate goal. Without a true partnership approach, this would not have been possible.”
