Gerald R. Ford International Airport opens $135m terminal enhancement with advanced baggage system

Image: Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Michigan has completed a $135 million Terminal Enhancement Project, expanding passenger-processing facilities and introducing a new automated baggage handling and screening system as part of the airport’s wider ELEVATE capital development programme.

A key element of the project is a new Consolidated Baggage Inspection System (CBIS), incorporating an Individual Carrier System (ICS) supplied by BEUMER Group. The tote-based system uses RFID technology to track individual bags through the screening process and is designed to increase baggage processing capacity from approximately 600 bags per hour to nearly 1,000 bags per hour when fully operational.

GRR is the first airport in the United States to combine the Individual Carrier System with a self-service bag check process. Passengers will be able to check in at kiosks, tag their own luggage and use automated bag-drop technology, with the first airlines scheduled to begin using the new ticketing and self-service baggage facilities from 9 September.

The Terminal Enhancement Project expands the west end of the airport’s terminal and provides additional ticketing space and consolidated airline check-in counters. The new facilities are intended to improve passenger flow while providing additional capacity to support the airport’s continued growth.

The project forms part of GRR’s ELEVATE programme, representing more than $600 million of investment in airport infrastructure. Other projects include the expansion of Concourse A, a consolidated rental car facility, additional parking, a federal inspection station to support future international passenger services and the planned relocation of the airport’s air traffic control tower.

The Terminal Enhancement Project was delivered with The Christman Company as construction manager, Corgan as architect of record, VTC as design team lead and project manager, Fishbeck as engineer and BEUMER Group as baggage handling system supplier.