Rental firm finds flexible solution for Heathrow handler

Heathrow transit operator Airworld Airlines has teamed up with temperature controlled equipment specialist Dawsonrentals to deliver a flexible extension to its EuroBIP airside Border Inspection Post.
The rental firm has created a modular build of multi-temperature chambers with individual access and interconnecting delivery doors, all linked directly into the four major chambers of the existing facility, also installed by Dawsonrentals. Temperatures across all four original units and new facility are variable between C-35° and C+20°.
Following the closure of the British Airways facility, the Airworld EuroBIP is now London Heathrow Airport’s only Border Inspection Post for veterinary examination of foodstuffs for human consumption as well as products of animal origin not for human consumption entering the country by air.
Originally opened in 2001, it offers ambient, chilled and frozen facilities and dedicated airside and landside transport services and has recently seen a big increase in demand. However, space for expansion at Heathrow is at a very high premium and, moreover, different products needed to be handled and stored segregated.
Airworld managing director, Richard Meakes, said: “We urgently needed to add around 10% temperature controlled storage capacity to meet demand from the Port Health Authority as volumes of imports continue to grow. Also, to meet the extension of the service into animal product imports not intended for human consumption – serums, sperm, blood and so on.”
Products can be very varied in terms of their needs, he added. “We needed a facility that could match the ability of our existing units to change temperature quickly and efficiently to meet the demands of the various items being brought in for inspection.
The Dawsonrentals units we already had were doing a good job for us but we needed the segregation. Fortunately, Dawsonrentals has a very good planning and design team, who worked closely with our team at our EuroBIP.”
Within the huge constraints on space, Meakes continued: “We needed to keep everything self-contained for the benefit of the PHA inspectors, as well as the integrity of the storage and handling processes, and the design, which utilised an external vehicle unloading area but then linked in through the wall of the existing building, was perfect.”
Senior development manager at Dawsonrentals temperature control solutions, David Quinn, said: “We carry out a lot of design, planning, supply and installation work for major companies in the pharmaceutical sector, where legislative and other demands are similarly high.
"So looking at the challenges faced by Airworld was something for which our teams were very well-equipped. That said, airside space constraints at Heathrow, especially in the Cargo Village, were very difficult indeed.
"However, we have great experience in developing modular approaches that maximise every opportunity, and linking into the existing building meant we could retain the vital integrity of the whole EuroBIP facility.”