Smiths Group wins biggest-ever airport contract

Technology firm Smiths Group has won a major contract to equip the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) in Qatar, the biggest single-airport contract that it has ever been awarded.

The contract, worth more than €100m to Smiths Group's subsidiary Smiths Detection, will see the company provide a range of automatic x-ray and trace detection systems to screen passengers and luggage for weapons and illegal goods.

""NDIA's choice of Smiths Detection for its main security contract is testament to the quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness of our world-leading technologies," said Smiths Detection's President Mal Maginnis.

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"The award was received after intensive and long work in close co-operation with Smiths Detection's local representative Qatar Security Systems Co. (QSS). We are very proud to play a central role in such an important transport hub in one of the world's most dynamic regions," he said.

The first expansion phase of the airport, which will be 12 times bigger than the old Doha facility, is expected to be completed early next year. When fully completed, it will be able to handle 24m passengers and two millions tonnes of cargo a year.

Shares were up 3.43% at 1,055p after the announcement this afternoon.

BC