Crisplant — a global leader in automated baggage-handling systems — has been awarded a contract by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) for an LS-4000E high-speed automated baggage handling system. This will be the first ‘green’ sorter to be installed at an airport in the Americas.
The LS-4000E will be installed at Cancún International Airport, Mexico, to enhance the baggage handling process and to increase and prepare the baggage handling capacity for future growth. The new system will be added to support the existing, fully manual baggage-handling system.
As one of the busiest airports in the region, Cancún International Airport served more than 12 million passengers in 2008 and this figure is forecast to rise dramatically as construction of new mega-resorts within the region is completed. By increasing the baggage-handling capacity, Cancún will maintain its position at the forefront of airport services in Mexico and Latin America, while balancing the environmental impact of the economic development within the region.
The LS-4000E tilt-tray sorter is driven by Crisplant’s innovative linear synchronous motor (LSM) technology, which cuts energy consumption by up to 75% compared to sorters using conventional motors. In addition to minimising energy costs, LSM technology reduces carbon dioxide emissions and achieves ultra-low maintenance overheads.
Running over 93m, with three inductions and nine chutes interfacing via a conveyor system, the high-speed baggage handling system will be controlled and supervised by a Crisplant Mini SAC high-level control system and achieve a sorting capacity of 5,400 items each hour.
The projected handover date for the completed baggage-handling system is May 2010. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) is the first privatised airport group in Mexico and operates Cancún International Airport in addition to eight other airports in southeast Mexico.
Subdirector Ing David Martinez, head of the department for infrastructure and planning at ASUR, commented: “As the first automated baggage-handling system at Cancún International Airport, it was important for us to choose a partner with worldwide expertise and with a proven ability to successfully complete projects on time and on budget.”