VISIONS Magazine (April 2026 Edition)
Keeping the World’s Busiest Airport Moving
Sumitomo Corporation (SC) Group’s newly signed comprehensive contract for the Automated People Mover (APM) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reflects the public’s reliance on transportation systems. More than a technical upgrade, the agreement represents a continuation of long-term operational support and a next phase of infrastructure investment that underpins one of the most heavily trafficked transportation hubs in the world. Through Crystal Mover Services, Inc. (CMSI)—a joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—the SC Group has entered into a 10-year contract with the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation, running from March 2026 through March 2036. The project will focus on a comprehensive renewal of equipment and systems supporting the airport’s APM.
“We believe this achievement shows that the customer valued our long-standing operational and maintenance track record alongside the highly regarded expertise in ensuring stable operation of an APM system,” said Kyoji Iino of SCOA’s Transportation Systems and Infrastructure Business Group. “We are honored to be an essential part of one of the largest airports in the world and will continue to contribute customer satisfaction.”
Supporting the Core Infrastructure of a Global Hub
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport continues to rank as the world’s busiest airport, serving approximately 108 million passengers in 2024. Within that scale of activity, the APM plays a central role, connecting three stations—including the main terminal and rental car facilities—via a double-track elevated system spanning approximately 2.2 kilometers.
Since commencing commercial operations in December 2009, CMSI has provided continuous operations and maintenance services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That long-standing role has contributed to safe, stable, and reliable system performance over more than a decade of sustained use.
In December 2024, CMSI secured a five-year renewal of its operations and maintenance contract at the airport, reinforcing the strength of the partnership. The newly signed equipment renewal agreement builds directly on that foundation, marking the next stage in the system’s lifecycle.
A New Phase of Modernization
The contract includes a comprehensive program to upgrade and renew key components across the APM system. Planned work includes updates to signaling systems, expansion of the fleet, and the replacement of existing vehicles with new rolling stock.
“We will update various equipment and facilities, including the signaling system, as well as expanding the fleet and replacing existing vehicles with new ones,” Iino explained. “These upgrades are expected to alleviate congestion, increase transport capacity, and improve passenger comfort, thereby enhancing the convenience for airport users.”
These improvements are designed to address increasing passenger volumes while maintaining operational reliability. By expanding capacity and modernizing core systems, the project is expected to improve flow efficiency across the airport and support a smoother passenger experience.
A Broader Platform of Experience
The contract also reflects CMSI’s broader operational footprint. The company currently provides operations and maintenance services for airport APM systems across eight routes at five major U.S. airports, including Miami, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, Orlando, and Tampa.
This experience is reinforced by the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s long history in railway-related business. The Group’s involvement dates back to the 1940s with the export of railway components and has expanded over decades into rolling stock supply, turnkey transit systems, and Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) projects across North America and globally.
The Atlanta APM contract reflects that accumulated expertise, as well as the technical capabilities developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the design, manufacturing, and construction of APM systems.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, the Sumitomo Corporation Group and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group aim to continue expanding the deployment of APM systems that emphasize design efficiency, economic performance, and zero CO₂ emissions, alongside ongoing operations and maintenance services.
For Atlanta’s airport, the impact of this work may remain largely unseen by the millions who pass through its terminals. But the results—greater capacity, improved comfort, and sustained reliability—will be felt in every smoother connection and every uninterrupted journey.
For Sumitomo Corporation Group and CMSI, the project represents not just an upgrade, but the continuation of a long-term commitment to the infrastructure that keeps global transportation networks moving.
