Vilnius Airport is looking for contractors to install a new baggage management system with the aim of halving check-in times. The system will include self-service baggage-drop stations.
Lithuanian Airports have launched two public procurements for a new baggage management system, a baggage screening system, and a self-service bag-drop at Vilnius Airport. Lithuanian Airports estimates that once complete, these upgrades would almost triple baggage throughput from 900 to 2,400 units per hour.
The future departure terminal at Vilnius Airport will see the most amount of work. It is scheduled to open in late 2022.
Dainius Čiuplys, Head of Vilnius Airport, said:During the last five years the number of passengers has grown by nearly 50 percent at Vilnius Airport alone. We expect to maintain a consistent annual growth in the future, therefore adequate baggage management is gaining importance and the renewed baggage systems will help increase airport capacity, serve increased passenger flows conveniently and expeditiously, as well as have the equipment, which is compliant with all international standards at the new departure terminal.
The self-service bag-drop will be developed alongside the installation of the new baggage management system. This will be another step towards digitalising airport operations.
New Baggage Management System for Vilnius Airport
The new baggage management system will comprise a belt conveyor system as well as a four-level checked-in baggage screening system. It will feature the latest x-ray machines with an advanced explosives detection system. A further x-ray machine that will screen oversized baggage will also be installed. The system will be certified by European institutions and meet ECAC Standard 3. The European Commission passed a legislative framework stating that all hold baggage screening in Europe should be conducted with European Civil Aviation Conference Standard 3-approved explosives detection systems by 2020 for Europe.
Dainius Čiuplys:The new baggage management systems will be necessary, namely, at the new terminal of Vilnius Airport. The use of current equipment in the new terminal would not be rational as the equipment used for baggage management will soon come to the end of their life-cycle and will have to be replaced by the new ones, which are natural processes in aviation, and investment for improvement is also necessary. Besides, the new equipment will enable to speed up the baggage screening and make it more effective in the whole airport and passengers will be able to perform daily, routine processes before a flight even faster and more conveniently.
Kaunas Airport
Lithuanian Airports will also acquire one EDS and 1 x-ray machine for screen oversized baggage. These will be used at Kaunas Airport. Kaunas Airport will also undergo some general renovation works and the passenger terminal is being expanded.