A consortium led by Leonardo has signed a €150 million contract to upgrade the baggage handling systems at Zurich Airport, Switzerland’s main airport.

The contract, which is worth approximately €120 million to Leonardo, is one of the largest in recent years in the European baggage handling field. This important achievement has drawn on Leonardo’s exclusive cross-belt technology, which is also in use with other major logistics operators. Airports in Europe and in the Gulf region, including Rome Fiumicino, Geneva, Paris Orly, Lyon, Mulhouse and Kuwait International Airport, have also chosen Leonardo’s systems.

Zurich International Airport will have one of the most advanced and reliable baggage handling systems once it is fully renovated by Leonardo, being carried out in consortium with Austrian company motion06.

Leonardo is responsible for the overall project management, system design and integration, as well as the supply of cross-belt sorters and IT systems, while motion06 will provide some important equipment.

A key factor behind Leonardo’s success is the technological excellence of its MBHS® cross-belt sorter. The sorter was recently approved by BNP Associates, a key consultancy to the international air transportation industry.

As part of a wider programme to improve and expand the infrastructure at Zurich Airport, the baggage handling project will involve most of the existing airport terminals.

Design activities will start in the next few weeks, with work on-site due to commence in the second half of 2019 and with final delivery in 2025.