Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been appointed as part of an alliance to deliver new baggage infrastructure at Heathrow Terminal 2, following the successful completion of the project’s design phase. The appointment confirms Costain as the delivery partner for the construction and build phase of the upgraded baggage handling facilities and systems.
The new baggage handling system at Heathrow Terminal 2 is designed to support the efficient processing of up to 31,000 bags per day. This capacity increase forms a key element of Heathrow Airport’s wider operational resilience and passenger experience strategy, ensuring that baggage operations can meet current demand and future growth requirements.
The three-year contract was awarded to Costain through Heathrow’s H7 Framework Alliance, which brings together Heathrow and its supply chain partners to deliver asset renewals and construction projects across the airport estate. The H7 Framework Alliance focuses on collaborative delivery, early contractor involvement and digital construction methodologies to improve certainty, safety and performance within a live airport environment.
Costain completed the design phase of the Terminal 2 baggage infrastructure upgrade earlier this year. Constructability, digital coordination and operational continuity were central to the design approach, reflecting the challenges of delivering complex infrastructure within a highly regulated, operational airport setting. The construction phase will build on this design work to deliver new baggage facilities that integrate with existing systems while maintaining uninterrupted airport operations.
Complex infrastructure
Ann-marie Morrison, sector director, integrated transport at Costain, said: “Costain has a long and successful track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects in live, highly regulated working environments. We are looking forward to working with Heathrow to deliver an improved customer experience in close collaboration with our supply chain partners and airline operators.”
She added: “Constructability was at the heart of our design work, and this next phase of the project will deliver new, modern baggage infrastructure for Terminal 2. This will be critical for ensuring long-term resilience in catering for the tens of millions of passengers who travel through the airport each year, as well as supporting a more prosperous UK.”
The award further strengthens Costain’s position within the UK aviation infrastructure sector. Under the H7 Framework Alliance, Costain previously delivered the dismantling of Starlight Point at Heathrow, completing the work without disruption to airport operations. This project acted as a key enabler for the new Terminal 2 baggage infrastructure.
Beyond Heathrow, Costain continues to deliver digital construction, civils and asset renewal programmes for UK airport operators. The company is currently designing critical infrastructure upgrades at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports for Manchester Airports Group, supporting safe operations, regulatory compliance and long-term asset performance.
The Heathrow Terminal 2 baggage handling system project demonstrates how early design involvement, alliance contracting and digital construction processes can support complex infrastructure delivery in constrained operational environments.
Read next: Building safety compliance: Golden Threads, digital assets, drones – Build in Digital
Read next: Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
