Taiwan’s Biggest Airport Relies on CTCI ASI for Seamless Expansion

Taoyuan International Airport Baggage Handling System and Self-Service Bag Drop Solution

With a designed capacity of 37 million passenger trips per year, Terminals 1 and 2 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport had already reached a peak of 48.68 million passenger trips in 2019, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, thus overwhelming the airport's baggage handling system and causing inconvenience for both the airport and travelers. According to a survey by international consultancy firm JD Powers, approximately 35% of passenger complaints are related to baggage handling, underscoring the critical role of baggage handling systems in airport operations.

CTCI ASI, an affiliate of CTCI Group, has been working closely with Taoyuan International Airport Corporation (TIAC), aligning with the airport's operational characteristics and future service trends. CTCI ASI has effectively expanded and upgraded the baggage handling systems in phases to accommodate current and foreseeable baggage volumes, improve check-in counter scheduling, and enhance passenger procedure efficiency. These improvements have significantly enhanced the passenger experience and have contributed to Taoyuan International Airport's recognition by the renowned global research agency SKYTRAX, which has consistently rated it as among the top 10 airports worldwide for best baggage handling.

Since 2010, CTCI ASI has provided TIAC with its intelligent automation solutions for baggage handling systems, including the baggage handling system (BHS) and baggage reconciliation system (BRS) at Terminals 1 and 2. In 2024, CTCI ASI further implemented a self-service bag drop (SBD) system at Terminal 1, offering passengers a more intelligent service experience. This system improves check-in processes, reduce baggage check-in times, minimize physical contact, and enhance COVID-19 prevention measures. 

Since 1999, CTCI ASI has been engaged in the baggage handling system engineering at Taoyuan International Airport for nearly 25 years. With growing passenger volumes and ongoing terminal expansions at Taoyuan International Airport, CTCI ASI has continually advanced its expertise and technology in baggage handling systems, working closely with the owner on construction and retrofit projects. In Taiwan, CTCI ASI stands out not only as a professional team with specialized skills in electromechanical and software engineering, extensive airport operations knowledge, and robust project management experience, but also as the only contractor in Taiwan capable of fully implementing airport-related baggage handling systems, interface integration, and innovative applications.

Reliable Realized

Working around the Clock

To serve flights and passengers, Taoyuan International Airport operates 24/7 without interruption, ensuring continuous service. It requires the engineering team to implement projects without disrupting airport operations, which is achieved through efficient project management and meticulous scheduling of each work phase. The team must be highly flexible with time coordination, working closely with each airline company to arrange operational areas and times, thereby minimizing any impact on airlines and passengers during project execution.

In terms of other airport MEP projects, CTCI ASI is also a provider of runway power and communication systems, and helps upgrade the runway of Taoyuan International Airport to CAT III runway in conjunction with a runway lighting system upgrade project by a professional lighting system provider. Moreover, CTCI ASI provided the Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System (A-VDGS), a significant step towards enhancing the airport's operational performance.

Technical Matters

3D Digital Simulation and Analysis

Before designing the optimal layout and configuration of the baggage sorting solution, CTCI ASI's engineers utilized its in-house simulation tools to conduct a detailed analysis of the predicted airport baggage flow, including peak/off-peak times and flight destinations. Engineers also made an optimization analysis based on the operation time needed for handling transfer baggage and on the detailed operation status of on-site equipment. Following the analysis results, the engineers designed the optimal configuration and software algorithms to enhance the automatic control system of BHS and improve the mechanical equipment. They also adjusted the system according to the actual operational data to continuously improve the efficiency of the overall solution.

Innovative Engineering Technologies

Smart Detection Solutions

The new self-service bag drop implemented by CTCI ASI is equipped with a 3D detection frame, which offers passengers reminders and operating instructions by intelligently and automatically detecting the baggage shape and dimension. If the system detects any intrusion while baggage is being transported, it will stop the belt conveyor immediately to protect passengers from harm.

CTCI ASI has developed and implemented BRS software, as well as integrated various systems, including intelligent secondary sorting. By utilizing Wi-Fi, comprehensive 360-degree baggage barcode readers, sensors, and control units, CTCI ASI applies Internet of Things (IoT) technology to baggage handling systems. The LED display screens installed on the baggage carousel use different colors to correspond with various flights, so as to guide the ground staff to quickly retrieve the correct baggage for their respective flights. This reduces the time spent visually scanning baggage barcodes, making the process convenient and efficient.

As the national gateway representing the aspirations of its citizens, Taoyuan International Airport faces numerous challenges. Engineering designs must support a variety of complex airport operations, allow for flexible resource allocation, and accommodate future business expansions. CTCI ASI, a company deeply versed in airport operations and system integration, is unwavering in its commitment to enhancing system availability and ensuring uninterrupted service. This dedication is aimed at meeting the increasing demand from growing passenger numbers in the coming years. As a member of CTCI Group, which is the largest turnkey engineering group in Taiwan, CTCI ASI possesses extensive experience in executing and managing large-scale projects, with a deep understanding of airports' operational and operational needs. This expertise enables effective interface management between the baggage handling system and other engineering disciplines, such as construction and electromechanical systems. Leveraging the extensive experience and skills accumulated by CTCI Group in large-scale project management, CTCI ASI ensures that projects are completed on time and to quality standards, ultimately achieving the challenging goal of successful commissioning.