Henri Coandă Airport BHS Upgrade
Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania's largest and busiest airport, serving as the country's primary international gateway and handling the majority of Romania's passenger traffic. As passenger numbers continued to grow, the airport required a significant upgrade to its baggage handling and screening infrastructure to improve operational efficiency, passenger experience, and security compliance.
About this Project
- Customer: Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB)
- Location: Bucharest, Romania.
- Scope: Baggage Handling System & Screening Upgrade
- Completion: 2025
Background
Following a public tender issued by Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB), Alstef Group was selected to deliver a comprehensive upgrade of the airport's baggage handling and screening systems. The project represented Alstef Group's first collaboration with CNAB and a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across Eastern Europe.
The Challenge
The airport required a modern baggage handling solution capable of supporting increasing passenger volumes while meeting evolving security requirements.
Key project objectives included:
- Increasing check-in capacity
- Improving baggage screening performance
- Supporting self-service passenger processing
- Enhancing outbound baggage sortation efficiency
- Improving transfer baggage connectivity
- Delivering the upgrade within an operational airport environment
In addition to the baggage handling scope, the project required significant supporting infrastructure works, including civil modifications, HVAC upgrades, and building expansion activities.
Alstef Group delivered a complete baggage handling and screening upgrade incorporating new passenger processing technologies, modern screening equipment, and enhanced sortation capabilities.
Check-in and Self-Service Processing
The upgraded system included:
- 56 new check-in conveyors
- 12 self-service bag drop units
- Integration with airport departure processing systems
- Improved passenger throughput and operational flexibility
The new infrastructure supports both traditional staffed check-in operations and growing passenger demand for self-service processing.
Outbound Baggage Sortation
To improve baggage flow and handling efficiency, Alstef Group implemented:
- A new outbound sortation system
- Automated baggage routing capabilities
- Enhanced baggage tracking throughout the departure process
- Improved make-up operations
The upgraded system provides greater operational resilience while supporting increasing baggage volumes.
Hold Baggage Screening Integration
A major component of the project was the installation of five Standard 3 hold baggage screening machines.
Benefits include:
- Enhanced security compliance
- Improved detection capabilities
- Reduced manual intervention
- More efficient screening processes
The integration of Standard 3 screening technology supports current and future aviation security requirements while improving overall system performance.
Make-up and Transfer Operations
The project also included:
- Two new baggage make-up carousels
- Transfer connection to the domestic terminal
- Improved transfer baggage processing
- Increased operational flexibility across airport terminals
These upgrades help streamline baggage movement between international and domestic operations while supporting efficient airline handling processes.
Infrastructure Works
Beyond the baggage handling system itself, Alstef Group managed the associated infrastructure works required to support the upgrade.
This included:
- Civil works
- HVAC modifications
- Utility services
- Building alterations and expansions
- System integration and commissioning activities
Delivering these works under a single project scope ensured seamless coordination between mechanical, electrical, software and infrastructure components.
Results
The completed solution has significantly modernised baggage handling operations at Romania's busiest airport.
Project Highlights
- 56 new check-in conveyors installed
- 12 self-service bag drops delivered
- 5 Standard 3 screening machines integrated
- 2 new make-up carousels commissioned
- Domestic terminal transfer connection implemented
- Full civil and infrastructure works delivered
- Five-year operations and maintenance contract awarded following project completion
Outcome
The successful delivery of the Henri Coandă International Airport baggage handling and screening upgrade demonstrates Alstef Group's ability to deliver complex airport modernisation projects that combine baggage handling, security screening, infrastructure works and operational integration.
The project has enhanced passenger processing, improved operational efficiency and provided the airport with a future-ready baggage handling system capable of supporting continued growth in passenger traffic.