Siemens, a global technology powerhouse, said one of its units has won a contract to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the baggage and material handling systems at Dubai International, the world's busiest airport for international passengers.

As per the deal, Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics will work on Terminal 1, 2 and 3 as well as a recently established material handling system in the vicinity of the Dubai Flower Centre, said a statement from the German group.

The contract covers a period of several years with the option for a further extension, it added.

Commenting on the win, Michael Reichle, the CEO of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics, said: "We are proud of the new order and the trust our customer places in us. Siemens and Dubai Airports count on a long business relationship as Siemens constructed and expanded the baggage and cargo handling systems across the entire airport."

The company will work alongside the airport staff at multiple levels, forming an integrated operations and asset care team.

The long-term contract has many advantages for Dubai Airports. For example, it allows for a strategic approach to process re-engineering, energy savings as well as cost and time efficiency, it stated.

According to Semens, the jointly established key performance indicators are the basis of the O&M contract.

A performance-based contract scheme ensures the highest service standards across the airport. It covers all facets of operational support, trouble-shooting, permanent improvement as well as preventive and predictive maintenance, said the group.

Chris Garton, the executive VP of Operations at Dubai Airports, stated that the focus on customer service and operational excellence played a crucial role in choosing a professional long-term service partner for the airport's baggage and material handling systems.

“We trust this partnership with Siemens will continue to make a major contribution to our strategic goals,” noted Garton.

Dubai International has taken over the number one position for international passenger traffic according to Airports Council International's (ACI) latest figures.

The airport serves more than 100 passenger and cargo airlines flying to more than 280 destinations across six continents. Passenger numbers are projected to reach more 79 million by the end of 2015, and over 100 million by 2020.-TradeArabia News Service