SPIE wins contract for Stansted Airport baggage system upgrade works

London, February 020, 2020 – SPIE UK, a subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has been awarded the baggage system upgrade works at Stansted Airport. The contract is part of Stansted Airport Transformation works which aims to accommodate for the predicted increase in passenger numbers in the next 5 years.

For the baggage system upgrade, the Principal Contractor Beumer Group, has appointed SPIE on an M&E design and build basis to carry out the removal and diversion of existing services within the baggage hall to enable the new system to be installed. The works include diversions of CHW, LTHW, and domestic services pipework, electrical services, ductwork modifications and the provision of new containment, power, lighting and LV mains distribution to accommodate the new system.

The upgrade of the baggage handling system is set to include the new ECAC 3 compliant Explosive Detection System (EDS) machines for Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) and will also integrate the latest BEUMER autover® independent carrier system (ICS) known for its one-bag-per-carrier/tote efficient design that increases traceability and security at every stage of the handling process.

SPIE also undertook Phase 1, Stage 1, of the new “shoreline” check-in area, which opened in May last year and included the de-commissioning and removal of existing retail and office accommodation to make way for twelve new check in desks arranged in a “shoreline” configuration to help reduce passenger congestion in the terminal.

In order to meet the tight deadline and maintain airport operations a number of additional accommodations both temporary and permanent were developed in the terminal to enable the flow of people and make way for the new desks and development of the new concourse. In addition, a crucial element for the facilitation of the programme was multiple phasing and handovers which meant work could take place airside and landside simultaneously.

Given SPIE’s extensive experience in the aviation sector, the company was awarded both of these contracts based primarily on their knowledge of systems in the airport. Understanding and experience of how the systems operate means that SPIE is aware of the sensitivities involved with such schemes – services cannot be suspended and must be delicately managed, in order to avoid risk to essential airport operations.

SPIE UK is part of the wider Stansted framework, which will encompass additional works in the years to come.

Steven Farmer, Divisional Managing Director at SPIE UK, said, “We are thrilled to be working on the baggage system upgrade at Stansted Airport as well as being involved in the wider transformation contract. As the fourth-busiest airport in the UK, we expect to be faced with some unusual and complex challenges, however, we enjoy finding bespoke solutions which mean we can achieve great results for our customers.”

Steve Radford, hold baggage system programme lead London Stansted Airport, added: “The latest contract marks a 5-year working relationship with SPIE, which is a testament to the quality of the company’s work. Given their extensive track record of this type of work, we can be confident that the baggage system will be completed on time and to an impeccable standard.”