FKI Logistex Completes Key Baggage Handling and Security Screening Projects for Indianapolis, Tampa International Airports

May 1, 2003
(Louisville, KY, USA:) FKI Logistex LSE: FKI.L), a leader in providing total baggage handling solutions in the US and international markets, announced

(Louisville, KY, USA:) FKI Logistex LSE: FKI.L), a leader in providing total baggage handling solutions in the US and international markets, announced that its Baggage Handling Team has completed automated baggage handling and Explosive Detection System (EDS) screening projects at Indianapolis (IND) and Tampa (TPA) International Airports. The combined value of these projects is in excess of USD $20 million.

Indianapolis International Airport

The British Airports Authority (BAA), airport manager for IND, and its contractor, Turner Construction, awarded FKI Logistex a contract to design, build, integrate, and commission 6 independent EDS bag rooms, including the installation and integration of 13 InVision Technologies CTX9000 EDS scanners. Of the 6 bag rooms, 5 are dedicated to manual HBS efforts, with the remaining bag room used solely for in-line automated screening. FKI Logistex also installed and commissioned 106 conveyors and large, easy-to-read AB viewing panels for the master control panels in each bag room.

The project was fast-tracked for completion, requiring only 90 days for installation and commissioning. The new EDS bag rooms launched on time, within budget, and without major system exceptions on December 31, 2002.

Tampa International Airport

The project is the first of five phases commissioned by TPA as part of a security screening upgrade and comprised the installation and integration of 266 conveyors and 6 CTX9000 scanners. Located in TPA's landside terminal, the project was turned over to airport officials in April 2003. The security screening upgrade project is designed to facilitate 100% automated EDS screening of all outbound baggage at TPA, as well as enhance security of the airport's new Airside E terminal.

As the primary baggage handling system (BHS) solution provider for the Airside E project, FKI Logistex installed and integrated the first airside make-up operation in TPA's history. The baggage handling project included the implementation of redundant outbound transport systems, a pusher sortation matrix, make-up piers, redundant supervisory control systems, an automated alarm paging system, conveyors, and laser barcode scanner arrays. The system, which came online in October 2002, will be followed by additional airside terminal projects.

"The successful completion of these contracts positions the FKI Logistex Baggage Handling Team as a leader in providing automated baggage handling and EDS systems," said Dave Martin, president of FKI Logistex North America. "We remain dedicated to ensuring that each of our customers receive superior, integrated solutions delivered under stringent deadlines."

The FKI Logistex Baggage Handling Team is a leading single-source provider of fully integrated baggage handling solutions worldwide. In addition, the team is a recognized technology leader in radio-frequency identification (RFID) and explosion detection system (EDS) integration for small and regional airport systems. For more information, please visit the Baggage Handling Team website at www.fkilogistex.com/bht.