OREANDA-NEWS. June 14, 2013. Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina is being expanded into one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest airports and an international gateway for pilgrims traveling to Medina and Mecca. ThyssenKrupp Elevator is supplying a total of 125 passenger transportation systems for the airport’s new 150,000 square meter terminal; completion is scheduled for 2015.

With a capacity of around eight million passengers a year, these systems will perform an important function in handling passenger flows. The contract comprises 36 elevators, 28 escalators, 32 passenger boarding bridges and 29 moving walks, which ThyssenKrupp Elevator is supplying for general contractor TAV – ACC Joint Venture.

Among the moving walks a major innovation will be the iwalk, whose modular design makes it particularly versatile and flexible. Unlike conventional moving walks, the iwalk in its horizontal version can be installed directly on existing floors requiring no additional civil work. “The iwalk is our answer to customers’ requirements for innovative tailored solutions,” explains Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG. “Worldwide demand is proof that this is a very attractive product.”

The neighboring island kingdom of Bahrain is also relying on ThyssenKrupp Elevator know-how: With its spectacular spiral architecture the United Tower will create a new landmark in the capital Manama, as well as being one of the country’s tallest skyscrapers at 200 meters. Inside, 14 high-speed elevators and two escalators made by ThyssenKrupp Elevator will handle logistics. Optimum traffic flows will be ensured by destination selection control, a system whereby passengers select their destination on a touchscreen before entering and within seconds an elevator is available to take them to the desired floor fastest. This also results in energy savings; empty trips are reduced to a minimum.

“These two major orders strengthen our position in this key growth market and underline the importance of our engineering expertise in creating tailored solutions meeting the demanding requirements of our customers,” says Schierenbeck.