Finland’s Helsinki Airport has introduced new double passenger bridges in the West Pier in order to minimise the usage of bus rides for passengers on the apron.
The multiple aircraft ramp system (MARS) is capable of accommodating two small aircraft or a single wide-body aircraft, which passengers can board using two jet bridges.
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This is aimed at allowing higher numbers of passengers to board and deboard aircraft using passenger bridges.
The bridges offer a more convenient option as they use less time and resources compared to the bus rides on the apron.
Helsinki Airport deputy director Heini Noronen-Juhola said: “With two passenger bridges, we can accommodate either two small narrow-body planes or one large wide-body aircraft that can be accessed via two entrances. In the latter case, one tunnel leads to the business class, the other to the economy class door.”
The double passenger bridges offer better flexibility for non-Schengen Area, long-haul flights.
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By GlobalDataFights to Paris, Rome and other Schengen Area countries will use the existing, conventional passenger bridges.
The solution is designed and developed along with airlines and ground handlers who attach the jet bridges to the aircraft.
The double-bridge option has been installed in four areas in the new West Pier of the airport.
Noronen-Juhola added: “It’s quite a typical solution at big airports. Often, business and economy classes are boarded though their own bridges. Now was a good time to implement the solution at Helsinki Airport, as we are building a new terminal.”
Last month, Helsinki Airport announced that its new baggage handling system will be rolled out in phases over the next year.
