September 27 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's Sofia Airport has agreed to collaborate with New York-listed science and technology provider Leidos for an upgrade of its hold baggage screening systems, concession-holder SOF Connect said on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, Leidos will install three state-of-the-art EU-certified MV:3D explosive detection systems and two transmission X-ray systems to boost efficiency and safety, SOF Connect said in a press release. Each system has the capacity to scan up to 1,800 baggage pieces per hour.
In addition, Leidos will maintain the systems as part of a comprehensive ten-year service agreement.
The move to a more sophisticated baggage screening system is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024, in time for the next summer season, SOF Connect added.
"This equipment upgrade will make traveling through our airport faster and more seamless for passengers. It's a strategic move to modernise Sofia Airport and meet the highest security standards," Jesus Caballero Pinto, CEO and chairman of the board at Sofia Airport, said.
SOF Connect has said it plans to invest 150 million levs ($80.8 million/76.7 million euro) overall in the next three years to accelerate the airport's development.
(1 euro = 1.95583 levs)