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The Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA) initiated the development of the South Terminal Complex at Orlando International Airport (MCO) to support long‑term passenger growth and introduce next‑generation baggage handling technology. The new terminal adds 16 gates, accommodates up to 20 aircraft, and supports approximately 10–12 million annual passengers through a state‑of‑the‑art baggage handling system.
Project Details
Design of the South Terminal Complex began in 2015, with selection of the baggage handling system (BHS) design‑build contractor in 2017. Detailed design immediately commenced on a tote‑based Individual Carrier System (ICS) BHS to serve the new terminal. The system includes approximately eight (8) miles of conveyance throughout the terminal and utilizes 5,000 individual carriers to transport bags from inbound flights to arrivals and from departure to outbound make‑up. The BHS also incorporates an early bag storage (EBS) system with a capacity of approximately 2,000 bags.
The ICS‑based BHS increases baggage processing capacity, reduces passenger wait times, and enables real‑time system configuration to support operational flexibility. Integrated RFID technology allows MCO and tenant airlines to provide passengers with real‑time visibility into the status and location of their checked baggage. The system represents only the second ICS installation in the United States, placing MCO at the forefront of advanced terminal baggage handling technology.
As a member of the BHS design‑build team, Studdiford Technical Solutions, LLC (STS) provided BHS subject matter expertise, design oversight, system integration support, and commissioning services for the South Terminal. STS’s scope included oversight of all BHS and CBIS design for TSA compliance, preparation and coordination of TSA submittals, and support of commissioning activities, including pre‑Integrated Site Acceptance Testing (ISAT) and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR).
Prior to going live in 2022, the project underwent an extensive 18‑month testing and commissioning phase to verify that every system component functioned as required and to ensure operational readiness of the new terminal’s baggage handling system.
