Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics (SPPAL) has been commissioned to install a highly efficient air cargo center at the international London Heathrow Airport.
International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s largest airline companies, issued the contract for IAG’s subsidiary British Airways. Siemens is equipping a complete new cargo terminal allowing the airline to profit from a substantial expansion of the existing air cargo capacities and an optimization of complex cargo processes. To this end, Siemens will employ an intelligent system layout and innovative material handling systems. A highlight of the center will be a “fast-track facility” to process particularly urgent air cargo in only 45 minutes. “With our many years of experience and our in-depth knowledge of air cargo logistics, we will be able to help IAG strengthen their competitive position,” says Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics. Sarah Coulson, Head of Strategy and Business Development at IAG Cargo adds: “We are proud to have held our ground for years as a major player in the highly contested air cargo business.

Premium solutions such as the ability to process air cargo at short notice will help us to successfully keep ahead of the competition.” In order to enable fast cargo handling, Siemens developed a streamlined operational concept. The solution avoids long distances and supports optimal use of the area with a surface measuring just 11,300 square meters. Siemens will install a sophisticated system consisting of four elevating transfer vehicles (ETVs) and four transfer vehicles (TVs). The scope of delivery also includes three truck docks for loading and unloading, and four conveyor lines for buildup and breakdown. The air cargo centre with a throughput of 135,000 tons per year will have over 110 positions for unit load devices (ULDs). Siemens will also deliver 54 special cold storage and deep-freeze rooms for perishable goods.

Aside from British Airways, the Spanish airlines Iberia and Vueling as well as Ireland’s Air Lingus are part of IAG. The group is the third-largest union of airlines in Europe and the sixth-largest worldwide. IAG Cargo serves around 350 destinations around the globe.
Siemens’ customers include five of the top ten air cargo airports worldwide, which altogether handle around 14 million tons of goods yearly. In addition, the company underscores its success with long-term operation and maintenance contracts with almost 40 airports worldwide.