Heavy Lifting for airports

Safe and precise installation of complex roof segments

Airport architecture evolves toward larger and more expressive structures. Construction of these structures can be in opened fields for new infrastructures or otherwise added to existing facilities, then being restricted at height by the air traffic and thus limiting the possible use of cranes. Heavy lifting solutions can become then essential to install oversized, prefabricated roof segments safely and accurately. VSL brings advanced engineering methods and design, custom temporary works, and precision lifting systems to deliver complex roof assemblies in live and constrained airport environments.

Why Heavy Lifting for airport roofs?

Modern airport terminals often feature long-span steel roofs with complex geometries that must be erected above operational buildings or restricted zones. These constraints call for engineered lifting strategies to install or raise heavy structures that may weigh hundreds of tonnes and span tens of meters.

Heavy lifting enables the safe installation of oversized prefabricated steel or concrete modules without relying on large cranes, making it suitable for restricted airport zones.

The method allows lifting works to proceed without protruding above the permanent structure, ensuring compliance with airport height restrictions and air-traffic safety requirements.

Heavy lifting systems minimise interference with airport operations and reduce exposure of workers to high-risk areas.

These systems can be quickly adapted, relocated, and reassembled across multiple lifting stages, improving project efficiency.

These systems can be quickly adapted, relocated, and reassembled across multiple lifting stages, improving project efficiency.

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VSL’s Heavy Lifting services

VSL designs and executes lifting operations using strand jacks, skidding systems, and modular temporary structures adapted to project-specific geometry, weight, and access constraints.

Engineering and design of lifting methodology.

Check and adaptation of the permanent works

Custom design and fabrication of transport frames and temporary works

Transport, skidding, and lifting using SPMTs and strand jacks

Precise segment alignment and connection

Why choose VSL for Heavy Lifting?

View of the elevated roof of Hong Kong’s Passenger Clearance Building

  • Integrated design & execution

    From segment delivery to final positioning, VSL manages the full lifting operation lifecycle.

  • Airport expertise

    Proven experience working in constrained height environments near airports or over live infrastructure.

  • Advanced control systems

    The VSL Bravo system ensures synchronous lifting and segment stability.

  • Temporary works optimization

    Reuse and shifting of temporary supports to accelerate progress across large roof spans.

Frequently asked questions about heavy lifting

These are some of the most common questions we receive. Got another one? Reach out to us!

Yes. VSL has delivered lifting works under strict height limits and security constraints near airport operations.

VSL uses strand jacks, SPMTs, and custom-designed skidding platforms, all controlled by advanced synchronisation systems.

Yes, VSL can be involved in the checking of the permanent structure, can define and design temporary strengthening as required to enable the heavy lifting works.

Yes. VSL engineers all temporary structures needed to support, slide, or lift segments as part of a complete solution.

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Planning to install complex roof structures in an airport zone?

Contact VSL to benefit from our expertise in heavy lifting and engineered construction methods.