Installing a state-of-the-art baggage handling system in a compact airport is a challenge, but it is even more difficult when the airport needs to operate normally throughout the installation. This was the challenge facing Crisplant and Düsseldorf Airport in Germany.
Although Düsseldorf Airport handled approximately 21.9 million passengers in 2014, it is considerably more compact than other airports with a similar capacity. Efficiency is crucial, which is why the airport decided to replace its existing baggage handling system with a new, state-of-the-art Crisplant CrisBag tote-based system.
A creative approach was needed to minimize disruption and Düsseldorf Airport had planned to build a temporary terminal and an interim sorting system to use during installation.
Instead, Crisplant proposed removing the upper sorter from the two-tiered system, while the lower one continued to operate normally. Once the new system was installed on the upper tier, it would take over the baggage handling while the old sorter on the lower tier was removed and replaced. The new tote-based early bag storage (EBS) was then installed between the two sorting loops in Terminal B. This approach saved the airport significant investment in temporary facilities as well as in the new building for EBS.