Guam Airport to Install Automated Baggage Handling System

It has been revealed that Guam Airport will receive a new $26million automated baggage handling system that will greatly enhance the experience for passengers travelling through the airport and free up valuable terminal space. The system is looking at a completion date of 2016.

The announcement was made at a presentation on Thursday, attended by officials and key airport stakeholders. Funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the high priority project due to the current use of TSA baggage screening pods were installed and operated within the ticketing lobby, causing delays and congestion. The grant has been secured during a justifiable case for the optimisation of the TSA screening system.

“The Airport is one of Guam’s most critical facilities. It’s the first place our visitors see and it’s the last place we have to leave a lasting impression with them. Safety, reliability and efficiency have got to be our top priorities and I’m proud of the work our Airport family is making,” said Governor Eddie Baza Calvo. “This new system is further proof that our federal partners have faith in our ability to move these projects forward and the credibility to be transparent with critical federal funds. All of the GovGuam family is committed to fixing problems of the past and making sure there is room to grow in the future. This is the kind of progress Guamanians deserve.”

To upgrade and replace the system, it is expected to take approximately 22 months. The new system will speed up operations with the latest automated baggage handling system processing up to 680 per hour, per machine, opposed to an average of 200 bags per hour using the current, outdated model.