42 RAMP EQUIPMENT NEWS
of an Aviramp Continental portable jet bridge. The unit will service aircraft from A320 family down to some of the smaller regional type aircraft at the airport. Aviramp is an extremely versatile piece of GSE that is beginning to take the aviation ground handling world by storm, following its launch in 2011. The ramp is designed with extremely gentle slopes that can easily be walked on by most PRMs whilst at the same time, it allows wheelchairs to be pushed up and down with ease by PRM handlers. This offers all passengers at the airport, where no fi xed jetway is available, an extremely dignifi ed and safe boarding experience, whatever their age or mobility. All of the Aviramp range can incorporate a host of client-specifi c options from proximity sensors to roofi ng. Swissport JP opted for a proximity sensor and asked for a bespoke door canopy to protect against heavy rain and severe weather. UK based Ra’alloy Ramps, which manufactures the Aviramp models, has included a unique safety feature with the auto braking system. When the control stick is centred or released, the auto braking comes into action and brings the unit to a stop. The proximity sensor overrides the switch on the forward motion and engages the braking system when the leading edge of the Aviramp docking platform nears the aircraft fuselage. The stopping gap between the aircraft and the docking platform can then be adjusted by the client.
Because of some inclement weather conditions in Osaka, Swissport also requested a door canopy so that when the aircraft door was opened, there would be some protection to the cabin fl oor from rain. This canopy was manufactured from lightweight aluminium, together with a fabric roof and is removable when not in use. Mark Burton, Aviramp’s Senior Engineer who was heading the airport’s on-site assembly, said: ‘’Everyone at the airport seemed extremely happy with their purchase and couldn’t believe the simplicity of design and ease of operation of the equipment.” He also brought a note back from Hideaki Yoshihama, Corporate Planning offi cer for Swissport JP, thanking Emily Corfi eld, Aviramp Middle East and Asia General Manager, for her support throughout the process and expressed his gratitude. Mark added that there was also a huge interest in the company’s unique anti-slip, all weather fl ooring, which is now available to line existing air- stair treads where slippery, wet or icy conditions are common. According to him, the demand for this fl ooring is
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2013
increasing more and more amongst his customers.
The unit was pre–assembled at
Aviramp’s UK base, then stripped, packed and shipped in a 40 foot container to Osaka port, which took approximately fi ve weeks. The container was met by Mark Burton and assistant David Bowsher at Kansai, who unpacked and re-assembled the equipment in just a few days whilst at the same time, they provided training on operations and maintenance to Swissport JP staff. That Aviramp can save substantial PRM costs is beyond doubt. A spokesman explained that on average, across three types of airport in Norway, from large to small scale operations, Aviramp can save upwards of 80% of PRM handling costs over a 6 year period.
investment to develop and upgrade airports in Saudi Arabia by 2020. The scheme follows the forecast of Saudi Arabia’s GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) two years ago that airport traffi c was expected to double to 60m passengers per annum within ten years. It was GACA itself who placed the initial contract with Logan Telefl ex.
New factory made ready in Thailand for BEUMER
Update complete in Saudi Arabia
Logan Telefl ex has successfully completed its programme of upgrading 15 domestic airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by installing new Departures and Arrivals systems in each of them.
The Departures systems include new check-ins with integrated X-ray screening, providing a more advanced inline screening system and smoother passenger fl ow, as well as improved security.
The multi-million pound series of
projects were undertaken with Logan Telefl ex’s Saudi Arabian partner, Rajab & Silsilah, which is based in Jeddah and Riyadh. Rajab & Silsilah carried out the integration work and onsite installation, under the supervision of Logan Telefl ex, which supplied equipment and newly manufactured arrivals carousels. The upgrade programme included existing front of house Smith Heimann X-ray screening machines, which were moved to be integrated with the check- in positions. Smith Heimann provided the interface software modules to connect the screening equipment with the check-ins. The programme is part of a £20bn
BEUMER Group has celebrated the offi cial opening of the new factory building in Thailand, located in the eastern Chachoengsao Province. In a ceremony, the German ambassador Rolf Schulze congratulated BEUMER on the completion of the construction and praised the commitment shown by the Beckum-based family company in the Kingdom of Thailand. The newly- built premises covering 2,000 square metres will allow BEUMER to increase its production for the Asian market. Dr Christoph Beumer, Chairman and CEO of BEUMER Group, emphasised that the success of the project should be mostly attributed to the close co-operation of the Beckum and Thailand teams across borders and continents.
Towards better baggage handling statistics
In 2012, 25.8m pieces of baggage were mishandled, of which 85% were delayed and 15% were damaged or lost: this cost the aviation industry US$2.58bn, according to the latest SITA baggage management report. With that statistic in mind, Mercator’s newly developed baggage tracking and management technology, mBELT, which is designed to alleviate the industry’s baggage related pressure, was unveiled at this April’s Passenger Terminal Expo. Last year, air travellers said that safely handled baggage was the second most important factor to them having a pleasant trip. Furthermore, mishandled baggage results in negative impacts to profi t margins and the loss of hard- earned customer satisfaction.
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