November 26, 2009
Media Release - Global engineering group Cavotec to deliver environmentally
friendly ground support systems for Bahrain International Airport
The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as represented by the Bahrain
Airport Company (BAC), has selected for their turn-key project, airport
systems innovator Cavotec to supply and integrate a range of environmentally
friendly ground service equipment for remote aircraft aprons at Bahrain
International Airport, in a deal worth approximately EUR 30 million.
"By selecting these advanced in-ground systems BAC has made a significant
step to automate their operations and further consolidate their place as a
state-of-art airport. Having started in the late 1960''s Cavotec has decades
of experience in this market and is well known as a manufacturer and complete
systems integrator. In financial terms, this is one of the larger projects in
our 40-year history," says Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec MSL CEO.
The product and technological scope of the order is especially broad. With 18
of Cavotec''s pre-conditioned air (PCAir) systems forming the centrepiece of
the project, Cavotec will also deliver and install pop-up units, transformer
sub-stations, 400Hz power supply systems, a Vacuum Evacuation System, a blue
water supply system and a potable water supply system. The installation work
is due for completion in February 2011 with a subsequent operation and
maintenance period for one year.
While the Cavotec PCAir system itself is a new and ground-breaking system,
the concept draws together proven and tested engineering expertise from,
among others, Alfa Laval, Atlas Copco and Fladung. For the other systems
covered in this deal Cavotec is cooperating with companies such as Siemens
and Roediger. The well-known company Dar Al-Handasah, one of the world''s
leading international consultancies in the airport market, was appointed to
handle all contractual and technical specifications surrounding this
multi-layered order.
The Cavotec PCAir system expands dry compressed air to cool parked aircraft.
Pilots often run on-board auxiliary power units (APUs) to cool aircraft.
These APUs can burn between 200 and 600 litres of fuel per hour, generating
pollution at airports and consuming costly fuel that could be used to fly
aircraft - not cool them on the ground.
The Cavotec PCAir system supports airports in creating APU free aprons,
providing the dual benefits of reducing pollution and reducing costs. This
makes the PCAir system beneficial to all airport constituencies: airlines,
airport operators, and communities surrounding airports.
This order is a key element of the Bahrain Airport''s USD 4.7 billion
expansion programme designed to cater for the projected growth in passenger
and freight numbers. The expansion, planned over the next 30 years, will
triple passenger capacity to 27 million a year. Two new terminals will be
opened in the next four years as part of the expansion.
The Bahrain Airport Company is wholly owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holdings,
the investment arm of the Bahrain government, and is responsible for Bahrain
International Airport and its related services.
BAC''s long-standing commitment to ''green'' technologies and the environment
has driven systems selection for this project. BAC''s proactive stance on this
advanced project comes as interest intensifies ahead of the United Nations
Climate Change Conference being held in the Danish capital Copenhagen. The
conference, which runs from December 7 to December 18, will seek to establish
new agreements for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to replace the
Kyoto Protocol. While estimates put the aviation industry''s contribution to
green house gas emissions at around two percent of global emissions, the
industry is already taking voluntary steps to reduce this level. BAC''s
initiatives are a prime example of these efforts.
"Responsible environmental stewardship is a key aspect of the [Bahrain
International Airport] expansion programme. These technologically advanced
systems allow us to improve efficiency and environmentally friendly practice
throughout aircraft operations while simultaneously increasing the comfort of
our passengers. These are all key aspects that are very much in keeping with
what will be one of the world''s most advanced airports," says Bahrain Airport
Company CEO, Dr. Osama Al Ali.
Bahrain''s expansion programme will see the creation of 110 aircraft stands,
including 87 with contact gates. Bahrain International Airport currently
hosts 42 airlines and is home to Bahrain''s Gulf Air and Bahrain Air.
For further details on this media release, please contact John Polatz,
Cavotec MSL Chief Financial Officer, at john.polatz@cavotec.com.
Cavotec MSL is a leading global engineering group, listed on the New Zealand
Stock Exchange, supplying innovative and environmentally friendly systems to
the maritime, airports, mining, and general industry sectors.
To find out more about the Cavotec group, visit our website at
www.cavotec.com. For updates on Cavotec projects, technologies and industry
news, take a look at our blog: http://blog.cavotec.com/.
ENDS
End CA:00188285 For:CCC Type:GENERAL Time:2009-11-26:08:30:33