Part of airport terminal demolished for new hold baggage machines

Thursday 20 May 2021

A new multi-million luggage system at Guernsey Airport could be up and running in time for 1 July, with part of the passenger terminal being demolished in order to make space for hold baggage machines "that are bigger than trucks".

Up to £12m has been set aside to replace the current equipment, which has been in place since the terminal building opened in 2004 and no longer meets security requirements set by the UK's Department for Transport.

The current x-ray scanners are being replaced with new 3D technology - with more space having to be carved out at the airport to house the hefty equipment. 

Part of the western end of the passenger terminal is being demolished in order to create room for the new scanners and conveyor system. 

“The main wall covering the site has now been constructed and the area is enclosed from the passenger landside concourse," said Guernsey Ports’ Head of Passenger Operations and Aviation Security, Steve Langlois.

Pictured: The new equipment will remove the need for random manual searches of hold baggage by security staff. This has been taking place since last year in order to “ensure compliance with security standards”.

"A floor area of approximately 390 square metres (4,200 square feet) will be created by contractors to house the entire HBS and the various support systems the two scanners require to function."

The scanners each weigh 6.5 metric tonnes and are described by Mr Langlois as "bigger than a medium sized truck". They are 5 metres long, with a width and height of 2 metres.

Each of the machines can process over 1,000 items of hold baggage an hour. 

“The assembly of the new scanners and conveyor equipment in the UK is making excellent progress," Mr Langlois said of the work completed to date. "Once the extra space has been created in the terminal, the shipment, installation and commissioning of the systems can begin.

"The project team has been working very hard to implement the first of the new scanners ahead of the planned change in travel restrictions on 1 July 2021 and is optimistic that this will be achieved, despite enforced delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.” 

Pictured: Passengers travelling with Aurigny on UK flights can check-in their hold baggage items prior to the day of travel.

Check-in on the day currently closes 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Passengers have been asked to allow plenty of time to complete their journey through the airport due to the disruption.