Miami International Airport, September 17, 2025
News Summary
County leaders approved two $8.3 million professional design contracts to assess and redesign baggage handling across Miami International Airport and cleared the $600.6 million Concourse K construction project. The design work will inspect conveyors, produce condition reports, design replacements or upgrades and create a centralized database to track progress. Concourse K will add six gates, a ground support maintenance facility, enhanced baggage systems and airfield upgrades. Both efforts are part of a broader $9 billion modernization plan intended to boost capacity and reduce baggage delays, with work advancing under county oversight.
Miami International Airport Advances Baggage Overhaul as County OKs $600.6M Concourse K
Miami International Airport is moving to fix long-standing baggage problems with two professional-services contracts, each valued at $8.3 million, while the county commission has approved construction of Concourse K, a $600.6 million project that is part of a broader $9 billion modernization plan.
Key actions and scope
The airport’s committee recommended the two design contracts by unanimous 3-0 votes. The agreements are structured as five-year terms with the option for additional five-year renewal periods. The contracts will fund architectural and engineering services to evaluate existing baggage handling systems across the airport and to design replacements and the associated system components.
The two firms designated to receive the work are the first-ranked firm located in St. Louis and a second-ranked firm based in Fairfield, Connecticut. The county memo on the awards says the professional design and inspection services will assess current system condition and provide the engineering needed to replace baggage conveyors, sortation equipment and linked components.
Why the work is urgent
Baggage handling has been a recurring problem at the airport for decades, drawing routine complaints from passengers and county officials. Commissioners and airport leadership cited frequent delays in bag delivery and a legacy of underperforming equipment. A centralized database will be used to track the baggage-handling work and coordinate replacements and improvements across facilities.
Outside analysis has flagged the airport for unusually high lost-bag rates. A third-party analysis that compared passenger volume and online searches for lost-and-found services found the airport loses roughly 306 bags for every million flights, or about 5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers. That same study assumed roughly 1,000 daily flights and tens of millions of annual passengers in its methodology.
Concourse K and the broader modernization plan
Separately, the county approved construction of New Concourse K, a project that will add six new gates and include a ground support equipment maintenance facility, enhanced baggage handling systems and key airfield upgrades. The Concourse K contract was awarded to a construction joint venture named as the general contractor, with a lead architect firm selected to design the concourse.
Construction is scheduled to begin after a ceremonial groundbreaking this summer, with completion set for Spring 2029. The Concourse K announcement says the project will increase airport capacity and create thousands of new construction and related jobs. These additions form part of the airport’s Modernization in Action plan, which aims to position the facility to handle 77 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo by 2040.
Current activity levels cited in the concourse announcement include nearly 56 million passengers and more than 3 million U.S. tons of freight recorded in 2024. The airport is described in planning materials as a major international freight hub and a top U.S. airport for international passenger flights to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Costs, timelines and community impact
The two design contracts focus specifically on baggage system evaluation and design, while Concourse K covers new gates, support facilities and airfield work. Concourse K’s budget is $600.6 million, and is part of the overall $9 billion campuswide program of capital improvements and maintenance upgrades. Construction of Concourse K is expected to be under way this year and wrap up by Spring 2029.
Officials have framed the projects as measures to reduce passenger delays, boost cargo capacity and support continued airline growth. The modernization plan is intended to increase throughput and freight handling while supporting regional economic activity tied to international visitors and trade.
Accessibility and public information
Members of the public requiring materials in accessible format or accommodations for airport department public meetings can contact the airport ADA coordinator by email at [email protected] or by phone at 305-876-7747 with five days notice. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may use 711 through the Florida Relay Service for accommodations.
Context and background
The baggage improvements follow previous efforts and prior budget increases aimed at fixing handling systems. In past years, commissioners authorized larger upgrades as baggage problems persisted, and individual commissioners and airport managers have pointed to their own passenger experiences as part of the push for new investment. Outside studies and passenger complaints have reinforced the urgency to modernize conveyors, tracking and sortation equipment.
FAQ
What do the two $8.3 million contracts cover?
The contracts fund architectural and engineering design and inspection work to evaluate existing baggage handling systems and produce replacement designs for conveyors, sorters and tied components across the airport.
Who received the contract awards?
Two professional firms were selected in ranked order to carry out the design work. The firms are identified as first- and second-ranked design consultants based in St. Louis and Fairfield, Connecticut, respectively.
How long are the contracts?
Each contract is a five-year term with an option for a five-year renewal period.
What will Concourse K include and when will it be done?
Concourse K will add six gates, a ground support equipment maintenance facility, upgraded baggage handling systems and important airfield infrastructure improvements. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this summer, and construction is expected to finish by Spring 2029.
How will these projects affect passengers now?
Design and construction work may be staged to minimize disruption, but travelers can expect long-term benefits in faster baggage delivery and expanded gate and cargo capacity as systems are replaced and new facilities come online.
How can people request meeting accommodations?
Contact the ADA coordinator by email at [email protected] or call 305-876-7747 at least five days before a public meeting. Hearing-impaired persons can call 711 for Florida Relay Service assistance.
Key project features at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Design contract value | $8.3 million each (two contracts) |
| Contract terms | 5 years + 5-year renewal option |
| Primary design firms | First-ranked firm (St. Louis) and second-ranked firm (Fairfield, CT) |
| Concourse K budget | $600.6 million |
| Concourse K features | Six new gates; ground support equipment maintenance facility; enhanced baggage systems; airfield upgrades |
| Concourse K contractor | Construction joint venture awarded as general contractor; lead architect engaged |
| Concourse K timeline | Groundbreaking this summer; completion by Spring 2029 |
| 2024 activity | Nearly 56 million passengers; more than 3 million U.S. tons of freight |
| 2040 capacity goal | 77 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo |
| Reported lost-bag rate (third-party analysis) | About 306 bags per million flights; ~5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers |
| Public accommodations contact | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 305-876-7747 | Florida Relay: 711 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Miami Today News: Airport to modernize baggage handling systems
- Wikipedia: Miami International Airport
- Miami International Airport (official): Concourse K press release
- Google Search: Concourse K Miami International Airport
- Miami New Times: Miami airport loses more luggage than any airport in world
- Google Scholar: Miami International Airport baggage mishandling
- Travel + Leisure: U.S. airport named worst in world for lost luggage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Miami International Airport
- Airways Magazine: Miami Int. worst hub for handling luggage
- Google News: Miami International Airport baggage
Author: Construction TX News
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