Airports
Naha Airport Building Co., Ltd. (Baggage Handling System)
Mr. Yoshiyuki Yonamine (Business Planning Group, Planning Division, Business Department)
Challenges
- With the opening of a new terminal, a new baggage handling system was needed.
- The number of travelers continued to increase so the operation had to be efficient and customer friendly.
Results
- Achieved a fast and reliable BHS, contributing to smooth operations of the airport.
- Highly efficient system that could handle checking-in of baggage for four flights simultaneously.
BackgroundThe debut of the new international terminal in February of 2014 prompted the need for a highly reliable baggage handling system.
Background
The debut of the new international terminal in February of 2014 prompted the need for a highly reliable baggage handling system.
The concept of the new international terminal at Naha airport is based on the “Bridge of Nations” Bell, which hangs in the Shuri Castle and represents a “bridge to the world.” In the spirit of “bridging nations,” the new safe and secure terminal building welcomes visitors with a friendly, Okinawan atmosphere.
We needed a BHS system that was very reliable and efficient in a way that was kind to the user.
Reasons We Chose Toyo Kanetsu Solutions:Toyo Kanetsu is known for a solid track record of other similar systems in Japan.
Reasons We Chose Toyo Kanetsu Solutions:
Toyo Kanetsu is known for a solid track record of other similar systems in Japan.
The baggage handling and transfer system is a key part of the airline check-in process. Breakdowns and line stoppages are not permissible because it causes an immediate issue for airlines if baggage is not loaded on the plane in a timely manner. Compared to other airports, the international terminal at Naha airport is narrow and has lots of vertical space. In this confined space, we needed a high-performance system that could deliver bags without delay.
We requested a bid from another company that has done BHS in Japan, but after seeing Toyo Kanetsu’s solution backed up by their overwhelming share of the domestic airports in Japan, the choice was clear. We relied heavily on their strong track record and expertise in building BHS in airports highly used by the public. After comprehensive evaluation of bids, we selected Toyo Kanetsu because of the favorable launch cost and maintainability toward achieving a fast, reliable, user-friendly baggage transport system.
BenefitWe achieved our goal of being able to efficiently handle four international check-ins simultaneously.
Benefit
We achieved our goal of being able to efficiently handle four international check-ins simultaneously.
As air traffic has increased over the past several years, Naha airport has become known for its highly efficient operations. Because of the efficiency of the system, we have been able to share the international check-in counter with other airlines. We installed two BHS systems, making it possible to carry bags for up to four flights at the same time. The system has operated at 100% at peak times without a hint of trouble. The reliability of a BHS is critical for a highly used public space such as an airport. The BHS has been operating stably, which has been extremely important to us.
When a new shared counter for domestic flights was set up on the third floor of the terminal, we had to link it with the baggage system on the first floor. Toyo Kanetsu was able to overcome those challenges because of their vast experience at other installations. Airport operations are sometimes subject to sudden changes. In any case, Toyo Kanetsu has been able to respond to those changes promptly and accurately. The company is serious about what it does, and we are grateful for the hard work they have done for us.
What’s Next?A runway will be added in the future and the terminal building will be expanded to connect domestic and international operations.
What’s Next?
A runway will be added in the future and the terminal building will be expanded to connect domestic and international operations.
At the start of the plan for expansion of the international terminal, the total number of passengers was 300,000. That number increased to 500,000 in 2011, and exceeded 600,000 during the 2012 construction. In 2013, that number reached 990,000 and in 2014 is approaching 1.3 million. The number of visitors continues to grow quickly. We expect that the number of foreign travelers from Taiwan, China and Korea will also rise.
To handle this increased demand, Naha Airport Authority is planning on adding another runway. With the new runway, the capacity of the airport will increase, which will lead to more airlines and routes being added, especially given the strategic location of Okinawa in Asia. We are planning on expanding the airport building to meet the new demands. Domestic and international flights will be more connected and the new terminal building will be twice as large. The new building will also require a new BHS. I am sure it will be put out for bid, but I expect that we again see excellent ideas from Toyo Kanetsu
* Source: Based on an interview conducted February 2017. Data, organizational departments and personal names appear as they were at time of interview.
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