St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport Completes Baggage Handling System Software Replacement

St Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport has completed the replacement of foreign software used to control its baggage handling system (BHS), deploying a domestic software suite developed by Russian IT company Reksoft. The upgrade covers baggage sorting, automated equipment control and airport messaging, while a new transfer baggage processing facility is undergoing operational trials.

The deployment comprises three software products: Reksoft SAC for baggage sorting management, Reksoft SCADA for monitoring and controlling handling equipment, and Reksoft AMG for airport messaging. The airport has also replaced the BHS workstations with Russian-made Nerpa computers running the RED OS operating system. The project forms part of Russia’s programme to replace foreign technology in critical information infrastructure.

Pulkovo’s baggage handling infrastructure includes 88 check-in desks and an automated conveyor network extending approximately 5 km. The system incorporates five levels of security screening and has a stated throughput of up to 4,800 bags per hour. Processing time from check-in to aircraft loading is approximately 15 minutes.

The upgrade also introduces dedicated facilities for passengers transferring between domestic and international flights. These include specialised check-in desks, sorting conveyor lines and inspection areas for customs and aviation security personnel. Following inspection, transfer baggage is automatically returned to the main BHS network for routing to the passenger’s onward flight.

The transfer system provides customs officers with access to passenger, flight and baggage information at their inspection workstations. This allows officers to contact passengers directly if their presence is required during an examination. The arrangement supports Russia’s simplified customs procedures for transfer baggage, established under Government Resolution No 637 of 10 July 2014, which permits customs checks without requiring passengers to present their baggage in person.

The investment addresses growing transfer traffic at Pulkovo, particularly passengers travelling from Russian regions to international destinations via St Petersburg. The airport handled nearly 9.4 million passengers in the first half of 2026. Routes recording significant traffic growth included Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tashkent and Istanbul. The airport also added services to Casablanca, Shymkent and Ankara to its route network.

The software replacement and installation of the transfer baggage facilities were completed without suspending airport operations. Pulkovo and Reksoft carried out most of the work overnight to minimise disruption to flight handling. The main software replacement project is complete, while the expanded transfer baggage functionality is undergoing operational evaluation.