Doha International Airport announces purchase of a QinetiQ Tarsier system

QinetiQ's runway debris detection system to be installed in Qatar

Doha International Airport in the State of Qatar is to install Tarsier, the runway debris detection system developed by international defence and security technology company QinetiQ.

The announcement was made at the Dubai Air Show following a contract signing by Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Doha International Airport and Phil McLachlan, Managing Director of QinetiQ Airport Technologies.

Tarsier will detect foreign object debris (FOD) on the single runway at Doha International, which at 4,572 metres is one of the longest in the world. Three radars will scan the runway area 24 hours a day and in all weathers, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems.

Al Baker, who is also CEO of Qatar Airways said: "Safety is an absolute priority for us and Doha International Airport has an excellent safety record. We see Tarsier as an integral part of our safety management system because it inspects the runway continuously with no disruption to aircraft movements. This will bring us both cost and operational benefits, but more importantly, is a commitment to have an airport operation which is fully safety driven."

The number of passengers using Doha International Airport has rocketed from two million to ten million over the last ten years. As a result the New Doha International Airport is expected to open in 2009 with a capacity of 50 million passengers a year once fully completed. QinetiQ and Qatar Airways are currently in negotiations about the potential installation of a Tarsier system to cover the two runways at the New Doha International Airport when they go operational.

Phil McLachlan added: "Qatar is experiencing strong growth in airport traffic and its ambitious plans for a new, state of the art airport are well on the way to being realised. This agreement marks an important step in the development of the QinetiQ Airport Technologies business and I am delighted that Tarsier will now play an important part in the growth of Doha International Airport."

QinetiQ's dialogue with Qatar Airways has been supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the UK Government organisation that helps UK companies looking to develop international business and that provides support for overseas companies wishing to invest in the UK.

Lord Digby Jones, UK Minister for Trade and Investment said: "QinetiQ is a world class example of the UK's technological and innovative expertise when it comes to passenger and aircraft safety systems. UKTI played an important role in bringing together QinetiQ and Qatar Airways to find a safe solution to the dangerous and costly problem of Foreign Object Debris currently facing the aviation industry.�