b'14 MSPBAGGAGE MinneapolisSt. Paul Intl Boosts CustomerExperience With Baggage Claim Improvements BY CHRIS JONESIn the proverbial war to win theYou have to really hearts and minds of travelers,experience it yourself battles are won or lost in theto get the look and trenches where checked bags move betweenfeel of it, says Bridget flyers, airline agents, aircraft and back. Rief, vice president FACTS&FIGURESRecognizing the importance of keepingof Planning and Project: Baggage Claim Expansion & Modernization this critical process easy and efficient,Development for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International AirportMetropolitan AirportsBRIDGET RIEFLocation: MinneapolisSt. Paul Intl AirportCommission, which Owner/Operator: Metropolitan Airports Commission(MSP) recently invested nearly $64 millionowns and operates MSP. Its lighter, its to provide its customers an improved Project Cost: $63.8 million experience at the baggage claim areas of itsbrighter and more comfortable. It feels brand Funding: Passenger facility charges; general airportbusy Terminal 1. new in a building that is nowhere near new.revenue bonds; airport-generated revenueKey Components: 11 larger baggage carousels;When the dust settled last autumn,A Welcome Problemimproved baggage handling systems; expandedMSP had upgraded 11 carousels and theirBusiness is brisk at Minnesotas primary waiting areas for travelers & meeter/greeters; newsurrounding environs with more floor spacecommercial airport, which regularly serves airflow system and raised ceilings. It also enlisted helptravelers from across the state and as far Timeline: New carousels came online from Dec. 2019from a small army of loons and regionalaway as northern Iowa, western WisconsinSept. 2024; behind-the-scenes work will continuesong birds, just for fun. (Yes, you read thatand both of the Dakotas. A Delta Air Lines through late 2025 correctly.) New audio and visual effects lethub with close to 20 active air carriers, MSP Design: Alliiancevisitors know they are in the Land of 10,000set an annual record in 2019 with nearly 39.6 Contractor: Morcon Construction Lakes. And behind-the-scenes improvementsmillion passengers and has steadily moved Baggage Carousel Manufacturer: Mechanicaenable more accurate baggage delivery,closer to eclipsing that figure since COVID-19 Sistemi ease movement between levels and providepandemic travel restrictions lifted in mid-2021. Ceilings: Armstrong Ceiling Tiles cleaner, more efficient airflow. January | February 2025AirportImprovement.com'