The order includes 53 in-ground pit systems, of which five are pop-up pits – units that emerge from the tarmac when required, and retract flush with the apron surface after use – and 24 converters, and associated material.
“Cavotec’s range of ground support equipment offers operators a way to reduce their environmental impact, and improve their operational efficiency,” says Cavotec CEO, Ottonel Popesco.
Cavotec’s in-ground systems supply aircraft with fuel, power, water and preconditioned air, eliminating the need for service vehicles, diesel generators, cables and hoses that typically cover much of the area around parked aircraft.
The systems will be installed in two aircraft hangars in the Saudi capital Riyadh, and the coastal city of Jeddah.
Cavotec also scored two new orders for ground support systems and associated equipment from Shanghai Hongqiao International and Guangzhou Baiyun International airports in China, as part of the airports’ expansion programmes.
“We are immensely proud to see our state-of-the-art systems play their role in these important expansion projects,” said Popesco.
At Shanghai Hongqiao, Cavotec is supplying 57 coilers and 26 vault access covers as part of the airport’s expansion, that includes a 250,000m2 terminal building and a new 3,300 metre long runway.
Hongqiao’s expansion is due for completion for the World Expo in Shanghai, which runs from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Hongqiao is China’s fourth busiest airport, handling more than 22 million passengers in 2007.
Guangzhou Baiyun International is China’s second busiest airport, handling just under 31 million passengers in 2007. Cavotec will deliver 28 coilers for the second phase of Baiyun’s Terminal 1 development programme. On completion, scheduled for the end of 2009, the terminal will cover an area of some 500,000m2.