b'24 MLI BAGGAGESweeping Modernization at Quad Cities Intl Begins With Baggage Handling ImprovementsBY BARBARA CAPELLA LOEHRThis March, Quad Citiesleaders were eager to create a moreunder budget and on International Airport (MLI) in Moline,modern facility. time, without any cost IL, unveiled new ticket countersIn January 2020, they mapped outto the taxpayers or and a completely revamped system fora $60 million capital improvement planairport rate increases, handling and screening checked baggage.called Project GATEWAY, which standsreports Executive The changes not only improve operationalfor Growing the Air Travel ExperienceDirector Benjamin efficiency and enhance the passengerthe MLI Way. Its overriding goal is toLeischner, A.A.E. We experience, they are also a harbinger ofprovide a world-class travel experience forwere able to leverageBENJAMIN LEISCHNERthings to come. The airport plans to remakepassengers, and the recent ticket counterappropriated federal its entire terminal in coming years. and outgoing baggage project was the firstfunds.Until recently, MLI had largely been livingof four planned phases. Fully $13 million of the project was in the pastbefore the creation of TSA,Phase One was originally forecast atpaid for with FAA entitlement funds, passage of the Americans with Disabilities$20 million and later estimated at $18and $2.8 million came via the Bipartisan Act (ADA) and even the advent of rollingmillion, but was ultimately completed forInfrastructure Law. Airport capital reserves suitcases. The last significant renovation$16 million. We delivered the projectcovered the remaining costs.of the terminal was in 1985, and airport July | August 2025AirportImprovement.com'