Siemens to supply new baggage handling system at Los Angeles International Airport

Southwest Airlines® has chosen Siemens to install a new baggage handling system in Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The project covers layout, engineering, assembly, commissioning and integration of a completely new outbound baggage screening system and a new inbound baggage handling system. The extension and conversion work will be performed during ongoing operations with completion planned for summer 2017.

“This order is a great success for Siemens Logistics and Airport Solutions. It is of particular importance since the US American airport market is the biggest one worldwide,” stated Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Logistics and Airport Solutions.

“Southwest chose Siemens for this project because they presented a solid team and solution throughout the evaluation process, giving us confidence in their ability to deliver to our standards. They have a proven understanding of airport logistics and a track-record of successful projects, both in the United States and all over the world,” said Don Ostler, Senior Project Manager Southwest Airlines. “They can support our goal of transforming the entire passenger experience, from the curb to the gate, at Los Angeles International Airport. We have worked successfully with Siemens in the past and value them as a reliable partner.” During the construction, Siemens will support Southwest Airlines to ensure their daily operation runs smoothly during the transition.

The contract awarded to Siemens is part of a $508 million project to modernize LAX’ Terminal 1, which was originally built in the early 1980s. The renovations of Southwest Airlines – the only carrier operating out of Terminal 1 – includes a relocated terminal entrance, a new security screening checkpoint, new and expanded dining and retail facilities, refurbished arrival and baggage claim areas, and even new passenger boarding bridges. All construction activities will be finished by 2018.

Los Angeles International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United States. In 2013, Southwest Airlines was the fourth busiest carrier at LAX based on passengers enplaned, serving more than 7.4 million passengers, or over 11 percent of the airport’s total passenger volume. The airline serves more than 90 destinations and has a fleet of more than 700 aircraft.

Siemens and Southwest Airlines have collaborated on several projects. One of the most recent projects Siemens completed for Southwest was the baggage handling system in Terminal 1 / Node 5A at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, which went into operation in 2009.

Additional technical information about the project

• More than 4,800 linear feet of conveyor
• Over 300 energy-efficient drives
• 5 Vertical Sortation Units (VSU)
• 6 High Speed Diverters (HSD)
• Inline baggage screening system with 4 Morpho Detection CTX 9800 machines complies with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) design guidelines (Planning Guidelines and Design Standards, PGDS).

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of combined cycle turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2014, which ended on September 30, 2014, Siemens generated revenue from continuing operations of €71.9 billion and net income of €5.5 billion. At the end of September 2014, the company had around 357,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at http://www.siemens.com.

Reference Number: PR2015010093COEN