THE STORY BEHIND THE BRIDGE
One of the first large-scale projects which has put J Lautier on the map is a site like no other. The project entrusted to us by the Malta International Airport was initiated after Malta joined the European Union and was obliged to allow travellers to show tickets and ID Card upon arrival. This was precisely when the airport started operating back in 1992 – the time when it was completely refurbished and had become fully operational.
Schengen is an agreement among European states that ensures free movement for passengers from countries associated with this judicial area. In practice, this means that people flying between Schengen countries can travel without presenting their passports. Passport control still applies to arrivals in Malta from non-Schengen states or those travelling between non-Schengen areas. (Passport control, Malta International Airport website)
The scope of the bridge was so that the International Airport would abide by European and Schengen regulations and the challenge was that the airport could not stop from its operation. For this reason the bridge was completed on the external part of the airport followed by the skeleton and the internal corridor from the airsite were later connected by putting down the walls. In this way the airport kept to its day to day work scheduling without the need for any downtime.
Works at the Malta International Airport started in January 2015 and finished in a period of two months.In, May 2015 the bridge started operating and served as a transition for passengers from the air site to the arrivals area. Due to the tight deadlines, workers were contracted day and night to ensure that the set target time was reached.
J.Lautier. Co.Ltd together with QP Management worked as a team to create a sturdy structure with a modern and simplistic design structure. Works started immediately after designs were complete and approved. MMCL was entrusted with the fabrication and installation of the Steel Structure; Aluminium Curtain wall and Aluminium Shading Devices.
