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 airport moves forward on major baggage overhaul and new concourse
County leaders approved two major steps to modernize airport operations at Miami International Airport. The county signed two separate professional design contracts worth $8.3 million each to evaluate and redesign baggage systems across the entire airport, and commissioners also cleared construction of Concourse K, a $600.6 million project that is part of the airport’s broader $9 billion modernization plan.
What was approved and why it matters
The two design contracts will pay the top-ranked firm and the runner-up to provide architectural and engineering services to assess existing baggage systems and design replacements or upgrades. Each contract covers a five-year term with a five-year renewal option. The county memo says the work will include inspection and design of baggage conveyors and the systems that connect to them, and a centralized database will be created to track progress on the baggage projects.
Concourse K was approved as a separate construction project and will add six new gates, a ground support equipment maintenance facility, enhanced baggage handling systems, and airfield upgrades. The Concourse K package names Lemartec-NV2A JV, LLC as the general contractor and Perez & Perez Architects Planners, Inc. as the lead architect. Construction is set to begin after a ceremonial groundbreaking this summer and the concourse is scheduled for completion by spring 2029.
Background: long-running baggage problems
Baggage handling has been a persistent issue at the airport for decades and is a frequent source of public complaints about wait times at baggage claim. Past board action shows the issue is not new: in 2018 commissioners approved raising the price of a baggage handling upgrade to about $230 million after similar complaints and staff reports. The new design contracts aim to give a thorough and updated evaluation of the systems that move and track checked bags.
A private analysis by a California-based firm ranked the airport among the worst for handling luggage. That analysis estimated the airport loses roughly 306 bags per million flights and about 5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers, a figure that highlights the need for systemwide improvements and better tracking.
How the contracts will work
- The Airport Committee recommended the two professional-services contracts by 3-0 votes.
- Each contract is for $8.3 million, with a five-year base term and a five-year renewal option.
- The awards go to the first-ranked firm, Introba Inc. of St. Louis, and the second-ranked firm, BNP Associates Inc. of Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Services will include inspection, condition reports, and design work to replace or upgrade baggage equipment and related system components.
- A centralized database will be used to track work and help manage schedules and performance.
How Concourse K fits into the bigger plan
The Concourse K project is part of a sweeping airport plan that aims to position the facility to serve future demand. The long-term plan targets accommodating up to 77 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo by 2040. In 2024 the airport handled nearly 56 million passengers and more than 3 million U.S. tons of freight, and it is described as a leading U.S. hub for international freight and international passenger service to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Project supporters say Concourse K will add capacity and support thousands of construction and operational jobs. The new concourse also includes enhanced baggage handling features that dovetail with the airport-wide baggage system modernization work.
Next steps and public access
Design work under the new contracts will begin as firms mobilize and start inspections. Concourse K construction will follow the planned ceremonial groundbreaking this summer, with work continuing toward the spring 2029 completion goal. County officials will continue to oversee spending and project schedules as part of the larger multi-billion-dollar modernization plan.
For public meetings related to airport projects, requests for accessible materials or accommodations can be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling 305-876-7747 at least five days in advance. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also use 711 (Florida Relay Service) for assistance.
Why this matters to travelers
Travelers may see reduced delays at baggage claim over time as systems are evaluated and upgraded. In the short term, passengers may want to plan for extra time between connections and consider using personal tracking devices for checked bags until new systems are fully in place and tested.
FAQ
Q: What are the two $8.3 million contracts for?
A: They fund architectural and engineering design services to inspect, evaluate, and design replacements or upgrades to baggage handling systems across the airport.
Q: Who received the contracts?
A: The contracts are awarded to the first-ranked firm Introba Inc. and the second-ranked firm BNP Associates Inc., each for the same contract amount and terms.
Q: What will Concourse K add to the airport?
A: Concourse K will add six gates, a maintenance facility for ground support equipment, enhanced baggage handling systems, and airfield upgrades at a cost of $600.6 million.
Q: When will Concourse K be built and open?
A: Construction will start after a planned ceremonial groundbreaking this summer, with an expected opening in spring 2029.
Q: How bad is the baggage problem now?
A: Independent analysis estimates significant mishandling rates, with roughly 306 lost bags per million flights and about 5.5 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, signaling room for major improvement.
Q: Who can I contact for accommodations at public meetings?
A: Email [email protected] or call 305-876-7747 five days in advance, or use 711 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Baggage design contracts | Two contracts at $8.3 million each; five-year terms plus five-year renewals; firms: Introba Inc. and BNP Associates Inc.; includes inspections and design for system replacements. |
| Concourse K | $600.6 million project adding six gates, ground support maintenance facility, enhanced baggage systems, and airfield upgrades; contractor: Lemartec-NV2A JV; architect: Perez & Perez; completion by Spring 2029. |
| Modernization plan | Part of a $9 billion capital program aiming for capacity of 77 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo by 2040. |
| Current traffic | Nearly 56 million passengers and more than 3 million U.S. tons of freight recorded in 2024. |
| Baggage performance data | Independent analysis indicates about 306 lost bags per million flights and 5.5 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, prompting systemwide upgrades. |
| Public accommodations | Email [email protected] or call 305-876-7747 five days before meetings; 711 for Florida Relay Service for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. |
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 FL News
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