Terminal enhancement opens at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

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Gov. Wes Moore recently joined political and transportation leaders from across the state to celebrate the opening of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System project. 

The terminal expansion officially opened for passenger and airline use Jan. 9. The $520 million improvement project is the largest capital project in the airport’s history. The announcement marked a significant milestone in what BWI officials called a commitment to support growth and elevate the passenger experience. 

A two-story, 1420,000-square-foot building addition was included in the Concourse A/B Connector and Baggage Handling System project along with 78,000 square feet of renovations to existing space, according to a release. 

The new in-line screening baggage handling system can process nearly 3,500 bags per hour – a significant jump from the previous hourly rate of 2,100 bags. Planning for the project began in 2017, and construction officially kicked off in early 2022. 

“We celebrate this project that will serve our passengers, support airline growth, and continue driving economic development for our state,” Moore said. 

“By modernizing our airport, we’re showing the world that we are making this Maryland’s Decade and committed to providing an outstanding travel experience for residents, businesses, and visitors.” 

Some features of the new project include:

• Direct connection between concourses A and B, expediting passenger movements. 

• Five modernized, relocated airline gate areas 

• New in-line baggage handling system with planned space for one additional machine

• Replacement of five existing, and the installation of one additional, baggage claim carousels.

Southwest Airlines, BWI’s largest airline partner, plans to use the new connector and baggage handling system. BWI’s terminal enhancements offer Southwest added capacity to continue its growth at the airport, state officials said.

The airline, which flew more than 18 million passengers at BWI in fiscal year 2025, employs more than 5,000 employees in the BWI airport market. 

“This multi-year project is a major investment that will shape the future of the airport for years to come,” BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport CEO and executive director Shannetta Griffin said. 

“We are excited to welcome our customers into a brighter, more efficient and more modern terminal.”