Behind the scenes... Manchester Airport

As part of its ongoing £1bn MAN‑TP transformation programme, Manchester Airport has brought in logistic process automation specialist Vanderlande to deliver a new baggage handling system.

Phase 1 of the £83m project has already completed, with a self‑service passenger bag‑drop area now operational within the newly extended Terminal 2.

Two further bag‑drop areas are under construction, part of Phase 2 – due to complete in mid 2024 – which will implement further elements of the baggage handling system, to ensure passenger luggage enjoys a more seamless transition from check-in to destination.

Once checked in, bags will be picked up by Vanderlande’s collector conveyors, then taken through one of three brand‑new, state-of-the-art Hold Baggage Screening machines, scanned from different angles, then analysed by a computer to identify whether there is any threat, which can then be escalated to another round of screening and, ultimately, a human security operative.

Following screening, bags will be taken to one of two 6,000‑capacity Helix tilt-tray sorting loops, and then automatically directed down a chute to one of several outbound carousels, where operatives will be on standby to load baggage for transfer to the aircraft.

Every bag gets a bar code, allowing it to be tracked throughout its journey, so at every stage the automated system knows the location of the bag. With nearly 2km of conveyors, the finished project is designed to operate mostly in the background, unseen by the passengers whom it benefits. Flying under the radar is nothing new for the project profession, but next time you pass through Manchester Airport, keep an eye out for the upgrades made by Vanderlande.

THIS ARTICLE IS BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE WINTER 2022 ISSUE OF PROJECT JOURNAL, WHICH IS FREE FOR APM MEMBERS.