Aspen / Pitkin County Airport in Colorado, US, has introduced new automated baggage screening to improve traveller experiences and safety for workers.
Under the $1.9m project, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airlines at the airport have collaborated to upgrade its baggage screening system with a larger conveyor belt.
"This upgrade will significantly reduce the possibility of several hundred bags not making it onto a flight during peak season because of screening delays."
Aspen / Pitkin County Airport director John Kinney said: “The TSA’s current screening machines and conveyor belts at our airport are already antiquated and overwhelmed.
“This upgrade will significantly reduce the possibility of several hundred bags not making it onto a flight during peak season because of screening delays.”
Travellers at check-in counters will have to check-in their baggage at a ‘Drop and Go’ site near the ticketing kiosks, before moving through the TSA passenger screening process.
Kinney further added: “We are grateful that the TSA understood how critical our need is and that they pushed our project ahead of other airports with similar issues.”
Construction of the project will occur in three phases to reduce its impact.
Set to occur through the end of this month, Phase I will involve moving interior walls and reconfiguring power supplies to accommodate the new conveyor belt.
Phases II and III of the project are expected to start next month and will see the installation of a new automated conveyor belt from the curbside to the airport ramp.
