Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and its construction partners, Whiting-Turner and Siemens Logistics have celebrated the start of installation for the airport’s new outbound baggage handling system.
AUS’s current 20-year-old baggage handling system is being replaced with an upgraded system as part of the Journey With AUS airport improvement programme.
Gina Fiandaca, Assistant City Manager of the SD23 Mobility Outcome said:The record-breaking passenger growth AUS has experienced this year has been transformative. Today we celebrate this momentous project milestone after roughly five years of pre-design, design and enabling work to get us to this point. This project is a great example of how the airport is not only expanding and growing the terminal’s footprint, but investing in and improving existing facilities, which is critical as our airport continues to meet the needs of traveling Austinites.
The outbound baggage handling system includes a network of equipment through which checked luggage travels to clear transportation security administration (TSA) and board the aircraft.
Improvements to this network will deliver a more efficient, reliable and easy-to-use system for airlines processing baggage for departing flights.
For example, the addition of conveyor belts, increased square footage and reconfiguration of new and existing belts will increase processing output by 800 more bags per hour in the short-term. Eventually up to 4,000 bags will be processed per hour once the system is completed.
Jacqueline Yaft, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Chief Executive Officer said:As AUS continues to accommodate the growing, unprecedented demand for travel, we’re thrilled to launch one of our first projects under our Journey with AUS airport improvement programme. The outbound baggage handling system is critical for sustaining passenger growth and will increase reliability, improve the flow of airport operations and in turn, create a better experience for passengers at AUS. This is just one of many investments we have planned for our airport in the coming years.
This project will create also new terminal space and present opportunities for the airport to expand TSA Checkpoint 3.
The initial part of the new system is scheduled to being processing bags in late 2024.
