Up, Up and Away

TKE showcases major VT and airport gate support equipment project in U.A.E.

As part of a long-term relationship with Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Abu Dhabi Airports Co. (ADAC), TK Elevator (TKE) provided a number of vertical-transportation (VT) solutions and airport gate support equipment to the new state-of-the art Terminal A at AUH in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., which opened in November 2023.

Terminal A is one of the largest airport terminals in the world at 742,000 m². The terminal can potentially double the airport’s passenger and cargo capacity and will accommodate up to 45 million passengers per year — that’s 11,000 travelers per hour and 79 aircraft at any given time.^[1]

TKE has been a trusted partner of ADAC since the early 2000s, and TKE says the relationship has continued because the company is able to deliver “full support to the airport’s requirements.” For this project, TKE provided 106 passenger boarding bridges (PBBs), 74 advanced visual docking guidance systems (A-VDGSs) and a MAX Monitor and Control system.

About the expertise needed for a megaproject like this one, Ignacio Medina, CEO of Business Unit Airport Solutions at TKE, said: 

“TKE provided a highly skilled and experienced project management team that led the project while offering high-quality execution managing the foreseen risks. Moreover, it’s the company’s ability to design and produce tailor-made solutions for the client’s specific needs – paired with the project management experience that’s necessary for appropriately planning and delivering those solutions following each requirement, as well as assisting the coordination with all stakeholders.”  

PBBs

The 106 PBBs TKE supplied for the project were produced in only 16 months and are the outcome of the company’s more than 50 years of experience in the airport industry. TKE has installed more than 5,500 PBBs at more than 370 airports. The PBBs offer new levels of safety and comfort, and an intelligent concept allows for fast boarding and disembarking, which can reduce turnaround times. “By offering a steel as well as a ‘glass’ design, the PBBs conform perfectly to current architectural trends and give the passengers an immediate sense of location and comfort,” Medina said. 

TKE’s PBBs are project-tailored and fulfill demanding and diverse client requirements. The company uses premium grade materials, providing maximum reliability and longevity. For example, the steel structure of the PBBs has panels made of hot-dip galvanized sheets, and the panels are welded via an automated spot system for high-precision. The hydraulic elevation system provides smooth adjustment and reduces operational costs. Several automatic systems help to automate PBB handling, which reduces the risk of human error.   

A-VDGS and MAX

The 74 A-VDGSs provided offer maximum security by bringing apron operations to the next level. With ApronVision, TKE introduced a completely new generation of Apron Operating Systems, which marks a significant step in digitalization and automation. For example, airport operators and personnel profit from the flexible configuration options for any airport layout, as well as from the highest system reliability, according to Medina. 

The A-VDGSs offer several forward-looking features, such as aircraft detection in all weather conditions for high system reliability. They provide partial aircraft profile tracking in all situations, as well as aircraft tracking more than 150-m away for precise azimuth guidance and speed control over long range. The A-VDGSs offer an up-to 360° horizontal scanning angle for parking guidance for multiple led-in lines, and wide obstacle scanning is offered by one A-VDGS system. There’s also full Ramp Information Display System (RIDS) functionality, including customized messages and images for improved turnaround management and an intelligent turn technology for high-precision navigation on all lines. 

In addition, TKE provided a MAX Monitor and Control system, which increases operational performance with live equipment monitoring, control and analysis.

In reflecting on the challenges faced during the project, Medina said:

“The pure size of the project and the high customer standards certainly were challenging. But with the comprehensive support from the client, we were able to make it. Indeed, Zayed International Airport, with its iconic and complex design with several stakeholders involved, was a megaproject. It brought some challenges during construction that also affected our execution. However, they were overcome thanks to the bidirectional full support between ADAC and TK Airport Solutions. All parties involved always have a clear goal of a successful project delivery – and TK Airport Solutions always seeks excellence.”

TKE and Airport Projects

TKE is no stranger to the unique requirements of major airport projects. The company has handled projects of all types in numerous regions around the world, adapting to the unique needs of each location and client. This includes significant projects in major airports like Dubai, Delhi (India), Los Angeles (U.S.), Chongqing (China), Doha (U.A.E.), Istanbul (Türkiye) and Lima (Peru).

The TKE team supports clients from the early stages of each project and provides support during the entire product life cycle from preliminary design, execution and handover up to operations, maintenance and modernizations. This project is no different, as TKE is providing full comprehensive maintenance service to AUH and has been doing so since its inauguration in November 2023.

Reference

[1] airportsinternational.com/article/tk-elevator-kits-out-new-zayed-terminal