BEUMER Group – a Strategic Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group – has been selected as the vendor for a new baggage handling system (BHS) that is central to the terminal development at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Part of a $135 million Terminal Enhancement Project, the new BHS will use the BEUMER CrisBag tote-based individual carrier system (ICS). This makes Gerald R. Ford International the first small-hub airport in the U.S. to deploy the technology.
The Terminal Expansion Project aims to increase capacity and incorporate sustainable elements to further optimise operations, minimise the airport’s environmental footprint and enhance the guest experience.
“The airport has been a cornerstone of West Michigan for more than 60 years,” said Tory Richardson, President and CEO, Ford International Airport Authority. “We have strategically invested in our facility and campus to ensure we support our region’s economic prosperity and vitality. The expansion of our infrastructure is critical to fostering the growth of our vibrant region, ensuring our community has access to essential services through a robust transportation hub that increases opportunities for global connectivity.”
The BEUMER CrisBag ICS will play an integral role in the airport’s expansion by providing sustainable, safe and flexible baggage handling from check-in to make-up. It features a compact and modular design that uses intelligent automation to optimise the daily baggage operation using a unique ‘one bag per tote’ system.
“Larger airports have been quick to automate baggage handling procedures because it makes the passenger experience better and improves operational efficiency,” said David Delaney, BEUMER Vice President and General Manager, North American Airport Division. “Our CrisBag ICS solution delivers total traceability at every stage of the baggage handling process and is easily scalable, which means small-hub airports in the U.S. like Ford International Airport can also benefit from the long-term savings and energy efficiency that this BEUMER ICS solution delivers.”
