PHX Perspective

Crews Work to Upgrade Baggage Carousels

Have you traveled through Terminal 3 lately and noticed a big, white wall surrounding something in the baggage claim area? Wonder what’s going on behind that wall? The mystery is in fact the replacement of the baggage carousels. In fact, PHX Sky Harbor is currently in the midst of a project that is replacing all carousels in Terminal 3. Why?

David Rutledge, Project Manager, says it is because all the current carousels are original equipment from when the terminal was built in the 1970s. “We are replacing the aging mechanical system because it is becoming more difficult to get parts and to make repairs,” he said.

GNS Conveyor is the contractor, and crews have been working diligently to install the new equipment. The refit is occurring to the complete conveyer system from the second level to the shoots that bring the bags down to the baggage claim area. This includes replacing the electronic equipment, belts, security monitors, and more, according to Rutledge.

The first upgrade is tentatively scheduled for completion on Nov. 20, and Rutledge said after the first of the year in January, they will start on Carousel 3 in Terminal 3 and then work their way down the line. Each carousel upgrade takes about 10 weeks. They are being completed one at a time in order to not affect or delay baggage during the construction.

Above and to the right, see pictures of the baggage carousel refit.