The Japanese group Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced that it has secured, through its U.S. subsidiary Crystal Mover Services, Inc. (CMSI), a contract to modernize and renew the ATL SkyTrain automated people mover system at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport.
The contract covers a period of ten years, from March 2026 to March 2036.
Modernization after more than 15 years of operation
According to the company, the project aims to renew and modernize the automated system’s equipment, given that more than 15 years have passed since the initial delivery of the system by the MHI group.
The work will include: The company says the goal is to maintain safe and stable operation of the system.
- renewal of the signaling system,
- modernization of other equipment and devices,
- delivery of additional vehicles,
- as well as replacement of part of the existing fleet.
Connects the main terminal to the car rental center
ATL SkyTrain connects the main passenger terminal and the car rental center, with an intermediate station. The line has a total length of approximately 2.2 kilometers and operates on a fully elevated double-track system.
The system uses Mitsubishi Crystal Mover vehicles, a technology developed by the Japanese group for automated transport systems in airports and urban environments.
The company presents the system as a key infrastructure for Atlanta Airport, considered the world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic.
CMSI has been operating the system since 2009
CMSI has been providing operation and maintenance services for this system since it entered commercial service in December 2009, on a continuous, 24/7 basis, throughout the year.
The company notes that, in December 2024, it had already signed a five-year extension of the operation and maintenance contract for the ATL SkyTrain, and the new agreement now covers the renewal of equipment and facilities.
Two different automated systems at the same airport
Recently, Alstom also announced a five-year extension of the contract for the operation and maintenance of the Plane Train at Atlanta Airport. However, this is a different automated system than the ATL SkyTrain: while the Plane Train connects the terminals to the boarding gates, the ATL SkyTrain connects the main terminal to the car rental center.
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