FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, ORE. (Sept. 10, 2008) – Port of Portland Applauds TSA for $60 million for More Convenient PDX Baggage Screening

Port of Portland today thanked the Transportation Security Administration for pledging $60 million to make security screening for checked bags more convenient and comfortable for travelers at Portland International Airport.

Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt acknowledged the grant funding during a briefing at the monthly Port of Portland Commission meeting. On behalf of the Port, Wyatt thanked TSA Federal Security Director Mike Irwin, representing the TSA.

When completed in late 2010, the system will move screening equipment out of the airport ticket lobby and behind the scenes, simplifying the bag screening process for travelers and creating more space and comfort in the ticket lobby. The system will also provide additional screening capacity and flexibility, and enhance security.

“This vital funding is just one of many examples of the TSA’s extraordinary commitment to the people of Oregon and Southwest Washington,” Wyatt said. “This new system will deliver outstanding customer service while enhancing security at Portland International Airport.”

”Our officers are committed to providing the highest level of security, as well as excellent customer service to all passengers traveling through PDX, and this new state-of-the-art baggage handling system will help us achieve both goals,” Irwin said.

With the new system, travelers will simply give checked bags to airline representatives at ticket counters, and bags will travel on conveyor belts out of the ticket lobby and through screening equipment enroute to aircraft loading. Currently, travelers must carry their bags from ticket counters to bag screening machines located in the ticket lobby.

The $104.3 million construction project will impact approximately 65,000 square feet of terminal building.  Construction began earlier this year and involves careful planning and coordination to lessen impacts for travelers and businesses. The project is a partnership involving the Port, TSA and PDX airlines. The airlines will provide additional funding for the project, and the TSA will also provide the high-speed bag screening equipment.

Following Sept. 11, 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress required all airports to provide explosion detection screening of all checked bags. PDX met that requirement by temporarily installing bag screening devices in the ticket lobby. The large size and configuration of the screening equipment has reduced traveler queuing and circulation space to a minimum, and requires a labor intensive process that impacts customer convenience and security costs. The existing system has limited capacity to meet future passenger growth.