BZN is halfway through construction of our new
in-line baggage handling system. This system is a $23-million expansion that
will further elevate and transform the behind-the-scenes operations at BZN. This
system is comparable to the baggage systems at Denver International Airport and
Salt Lake City International Airport but on a much smaller scale. We expect this upgrade to carry us
through the next 20 years of growth. Ultimately, BZN will have a state of the art Baggage Screening and Explosive Detection system that includes over 3,000
linear feet of bag belt from start to finish. The new system will permit passengers to check their
luggage, including skis and golf bags, with airline staff at the same ticket counter location. All bags, including skis and golf bags, will then be delivered to the same airline pick-up location.
On average, BZN handles almost 4,000 bags per day.
In order to maintain day-to-day operations throughout the
system upgrade, temporary equipment needed to be installed. The temporary bag
belts are up and running and the entire temporary system is operational for the holiday rush.
During the next several months, we will be transitioning from the temporary system to the new system. The projected completion date for this
project is July of 2023.