Crisplant, a leading global supplier of automated baggage handling systems, has installed the tilt-tray sorters and SAC for the automated baggage-handling system for the new 2.2 billion Rand central terminal building at O.R.Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International Airport), in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Meticulous planning has enabled Crisplant to carry out the installation of two new sorters, a refurbishment of an existing sorter, and the installation of upper-level control system, with no disruption to the operation of South Africa’s flagship airport, which have handled up to
19.5 million passengers per year.

The new baggage-handling system will enable O.R. Tambo International Airport to increase capacity by 50% to 28 million passengers per year. New fail-safe features have been designed to guarantee 24/7 availability of the system, providing the airport with the ability to meet the surge in passenger numbers during the World Cup 2010 as well as enabling them to manage future growth predictions and handle new generations of aircraft.

O.R. Tambo International Airport’s manager for maintenance and engineering, Mr Kobus Nel, commented, “Crisplant has been our prime supplier for automated baggage sortation machines and associated systems since 1994, supporting our growing passenger numbers by installing the baggage-handling systems in our domestic and international terminals. Crisplant have also had sole responsibility, since 1994, for the continued operational efficiency of these systems, with employees on-site around the clock to carry-out preventative maintenance and helping us to maintain a world-class service by installing the latest technology upgrades.”

Crisplant airport director, Henrik Mortensen explains, “Preparing for high-profile events, such as the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, places huge demands on the airport to guarantee uninterrupted availability of its baggage-handling system. Drawing on our experience of working with some of the most advanced airports around world, Crisplant has designed the baggage-handling system at O.R. Tambo Airport to virtually eliminate any risk of disruption during the World Cup and beyond.”