Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport

Baggage Handling System Rolls Out

At 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, March 2, 2010, the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport's completely automated Baggage Handling and Screening System went online.  This advanced system improves security by utilizing a state-of-the-art baggage screening system to process all outbound luggage.  It now provides passengers the ability to check-in and check their luggage all at once, thus, allowing passengers to proceed directly through security to their departure gates.  This eliminates the need for passengers to carry their baggage across the lobby to the TSA screening station.

This $12M Baggage Handling and Screening System was funded, in part, by approximately $9M of Federal grants and $3M in airport funding.  It was designed, engineered, fabricated, installed and warranted by Siemens Technology Inc., and it meets all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for the pre-departure screening of checked baggage.  This system consists of more than 1,436 feet of baggage conveyor belts and three federally-provided L3 screening devices.  It will process all checked luggage from the airline ticket counter to baggage carts in approximately four minutes.

"This technological advanced screening system will assist in handling the 11 percent increase in airline seat capacity and passengers projected for April 2010.  It's a true customer service improvement that provides the traveling public the best airport experience on the Gulf Coast," said Melinda Crawford, Airport Director.

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