Airport's new baggage plan fails to check out

By Aviation writer STEVE CREEDY 17aug00

A CRUCIAL security element of Sydney airport's new baggage system is understood to have failed its first attempt to check all bags on an outgoing aircraft.

A mechanical problem with the airport's new baggage screening system caused a 15-minute check-in delay and affected the departure of four international aircraft. The checked bag screening system is the last addition to the airport's revamped baggage system before the Olympics.

The sensitive X-ray system, designed primarily to pick up bombs and chemical residue, was developed at the same time as the airport's $43 million baggage system upgrade. The two are now being integrated.

Sources said the system, which has been progressively installed over the past few weeks, can be set to check between 20 and 100 per cent of outgoing bags.

They said yesterday was the first time the system had been called on to check every bag on an aircraft. "We've been working on it for some weeks," an airport spokesman said. "We started off as a manual system, brought it up to a low-level automated system and we're working on the fully automated, fully-integrated segment at present."

Airport authorities said back-up operations ensured the impact of the breakdown was minimal.

Meanwhile, an independent report critical of Airservices Australia's handling of power problems at Sydney airport is due to be released today.

The report by Quiggan Cook & Associates has found two power problems responsible for delays at the airport were caused by incorrect settings made when the system was disconnected for maintenance.

Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, who commissioned the investigation, met Airservices officials last week to ensure urgent corrective action was taken.

It is understood this includes the installation of a third generator at the Sydney operations centre.

http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,1083644%255E421,00.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 16, 2000