IAG Cargo, the cargo handling division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has officially opened a new semi-automated baggage-handling site in London Heathrow Airport, named New Premia.
According to a company statement, the new facility will enable IAG to handle double the amount of cargo handled daily, with bespoke IT systems and systems integration being introduced to support the growth in capacity.
Specifically, the hub has been equipped with 11 new landside doors, is temperature-controlled for pharmaceuticals with 29 dedicated cool cells and a +15°C to +25°C (CRT) chamber with two dedicated break and build workstations.
What’s more, four large ‘transfer vehicles’ have been introduced which service the 20 new workstations, which pass through rapid-rise doors and allow cargo to be moved autonomously through the hub and into storage in advance of collection and delivery to the aircraft.
This process has been fully integrated with IAG Cargo’s existing Warehouse Management System, which the company has claimed is the first time globally that this integration has been delivered.
David Shepherd, CEO of IAG Cargo said: “The opening of New Premia is a pivotal milestone for IAG Cargo – the benefits it will bring both to our customers and our operational teams is huge. We strive to provide the best service for our customers and the investment into our IT systems will improve our operational performance, optimising the movement of cargo to support global trade.
“I’m proud of the entire team that have made it possible to officially launch today – it represents a truly exciting time for us as a business. I look forward to seeing New Premia now run at its full potential.”
Several new staff roles have been created to support the new site across areas such as planning and operations, with current staff receiving targeted training during the past 18 months to support the opening.
