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Vancouver International Airport

Backbone project helps Vancouver Airport soar

Located in Richmond, British Columbia, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) processed just over a thousand passengers in its first year – 1931. Today, it is Canada’s second-busiest airport and served by 55 airlines.

Passenger numbers have also increased, with around 22.3 million travellers passing through YVR in 2016. Due to its location, the airport’s future strategy revolves around maintaining a sustainable connecting hub between Asia and the Americas.

Handling growth

YVR wanted to future proof and expand its operations. As such, the airport needed a baggage handling system (BHS) that both supported this strategy and accommodated various growth scenarios.

It required a state-of-the-art system that facilitated shorter transfer times. This also had to be more reliable and capable of handling mixed flows. In addition, it was important for YVR to identify a BHS that offered enhanced flexibility and scalability.

One of the key aspects within YVR’s strategy was the need to link all the separate baggage halls. Minimal disruptions to live operations during the installation of the system was an additional stipulation.

A combined approach

Vanderlande proposed a combination of state-of-the-art sortation technology and intelligent software. One of the key projects was the integration of a new ‘backbone’ system. This was designed to link YVR’s separate baggage halls.

Within the backbone system, additional equipment was implemented to further boost the total offering to YVR. This included Vanderlande’s BAXORTER and TUBTRAX.

Vanderlande’s VIBES software controls the backbone system, and subsequently the movement of all baggage. One of the unique features of VIBES is that it can easily be configured to seamlessly match all types of business processes.

Going the extra mile

Vanderlande’s effective integration of software and technology has delivered a range of benefits to YVR. In realising its growth potential, YVR now manages an automated transfer flow, with increased system capacity.

Due to the automation inherent within the backbone system, it is less prone to human error. Connection speeds have also been significantly improved.

Other benefits of Vanderlande’s overall solution include the flexibility and scalability now available to YVR. Overall reliability has also been improved and VIBES is a key factor in this.

A true partner

“We’re lucky to have a world-leading provider in handling systems,” says Vancouver’s VP of Operations and Maintenance Steve Hankinson. “The true test of a partnership is when things don’t go according to plan and in those situations Vanderlande has been there as a true partner.”

So let’s talk about the automation of your airport

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