BWI Marshall Airport Opens $520M Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage System

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has opened its new Concourse A/B Connector and in-line Baggage Handling System, a $520 million terminal enhancement that marks the largest capital investment in the airport’s history. The project will open to passengers and airline operations beginning tomorrow.

The multi-year improvement adds a direct connection between concourses A and B and introduces a modern baggage handling system designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and capacity as passenger volumes continue to grow at the airport.

The project includes a two-story terminal addition totaling 142,000 square feet of new construction, along with 78,000 square feet of renovated space. The new in-line baggage system is capable of processing nearly 3,500 bags per hour, up from approximately 2,100 bags per hour previously. Planning for the project began in 2017, with construction starting in early 2022.

Southwest Airlines, the airport’s largest airline partner, will be the primary user of the new connector and baggage system. BWI Marshall is one of Southwest’s largest airports and its largest on the East Coast. During fiscal year 2025, the airline carried more than 18 million passengers at the airport, operating approximately 230 daily departures to 82 domestic and international destinations and employing more than 5,000 people in the local market.

Key elements of the Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System project include a direct concourse-to-concourse connection to improve passenger movement, five modernized airline gate areas, and a new in-line baggage screening system equipped with seven explosive detection system machines, with space reserved for future expansion.

Additional upgrades include the replacement and expansion of baggage claim carousels, new restrooms designed to align with recent terminal improvements, and expanded concessions space. The project also incorporates sustainability features such as energy-efficient systems and lower-carbon construction materials.

State and federal officials said the project strengthens BWI Marshall’s role as a major transportation and economic hub for Maryland and the National Capital Region, while improving operational efficiency and the passenger experience.

BWI Marshall Airport offers approximately 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations and generates an estimated $11.3 billion in annual economic impact, supporting more than 107,000 jobs statewide and across the region.

Airport leadership said the new connector and baggage system represent a long-term investment in the airport’s ability to meet future airline and passenger needs while delivering a more modern and efficient terminal environment.