Metro Airport's New Terminal May Have Glitch

Midfield Might Not Be Completed On Time

ROMULUS, Mich., 10:58 a.m. EST February 28, 2001-- Detroit Metropolitan Airport's new terminal might not be completed on time because of installation of a high-speed baggage-handling system, the baggage manufacturer said.

Northwest Airlines, which is overseeing the building of the $1.2 billion Midfield terminal, said that it is confident that the terminal will be completed in time to open as planned on Dec. 9.

BAE Automated Systems Inc. of Carrollton, Texas -- the company making the baggage system -- warned Northwest this month that the manufacturer had been denied access to unfinished areas of the terminal, delaying its work. They said that the installation could be delayed three or four months.

BAE's work is to be completed by July 31.

BAE has a $45.6 million contract for the work at the airport. The luggage system will have 25,000 feet of conveyor and 91 express check-in stations at the 97-gate terminal.

BAE said that it has 10,000 to 12,000 feet of luggage conveyor sitting on the ground, awaiting installation.

Hunt Construction Group Inc., the general contractor responsible for work at the terminal, blamed BAE for holdups.

http://www.wdiv.com/det/news/stories/news-51189620010228-090218.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), February 28, 2001