Milwaukee airport plans baggage system upgrade

The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport will replace its internal baggage system next year, but it’s a fix travelers won’t notice.

Airport officials in late September toured the main terminal baggage systems at 5300 S. Howell Ave. in Milwaukee at a pre-bid meeting for a control system replacement. No carousels, conveyors or belts will be removed; however, the airport wants to update its bag sensor and software system, which were last updated in 2014.

The airport sought qualified consultants to design an upgrade for its outbound baggage carousels, which carry bags to departing flights. Respondents were asked to send their bids by Oct. 6.

After a consultant is selected, the airport will work on a project scope over the next six months and start bidding. In its 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program, the airport budgeted $3.96 million for baggage system replacement. The construction cost is estimated to be around $11.5 million, according to Milwaukee County documents.

The airport wants to update the current control system, which uses ControlNet and DeviceNet communication, an airport presentation showed. Officials said the system is outdated and won’t be supported in the future, and the project is driven by airline users.

In 2014, the airport updated and moved baggage screening devices behind the scenes during a terminal expansion, said Harold Mester, director of public affairs and marketing for the airport.

“It’s been a very reliable system for us, but we need to make sure it’s going to be good for the next 10 years and beyond,” he added.

Construction work will happen while the baggage system operates as usual. There will be no disruption to travel service, Mester said.

The current system has a capacity of 2,000 bags per hour, but the airport doesn’t usually reach capacity, Mester said. Half of airport traffic departs before 9 a.m., making that the busiest time for outbound bag traffic.

After request for qualifications answers come in, consultants will go through a committee-led selection process. The airport expects to select a consultant in late October.

The airport doesn’t use property tax dollars for its operating budget or capital improvements, officials said. The airport generates revenue through user fees and charges for airlines and passengers.

The airport has two major ongoing projects, including the $95 million International Arrivals Building replacement led by Findorff. That project started in September. The airport also launched a $75 million expansion of its south cargo facility led by ARCO/Murray. The expansion is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.