A great airport ticketing system is more than just kiosks and desks, it’s a highly-engineered interface between passengers, systems, and infrastructure. Getting it right, the first time, empowers the entire airport to operate efficiently. Ticketing systems are critical to an airport’s infrastructure, making early collaboration between airlines, designers, owners, and contractors essential to ensure the space functions successfully.

Hear From Our Airport Ticketing System Expert 

Ally Schaer, Assistant Project Manager for The Weitz Company | Aviation, focused on the build outs of airport ticketing systems for both Kansas City International Airport’s New Terminal and the Des Moines International Airport Terminal project that’s currently under construction. She has experienced firsthand how vital ticketing systems are to ensure a premier passenger experience, support connected systems and avoid future retrofitting that can be disruptive and expensive for airlines and clients. 

In the video below, Ally expands on how early collaboration is vital to building a ticketing system that will support all airport functions for continual growth. 

Connection Is Key 

In addition to early collaboration, understanding how ticketing impacts other airport systems is vital to creating a thoughtful and efficient design in the preconstruction phase of a project. During this planning phase it’s important to keep these points in mind: 

• An airport ticketing system is the gateway to airport operations, shaping passenger experience, brand perception, and the efficiency of everything that follows, from bag drop to boarding. 

• Ticketing sets the flow of passengers into downstream systems like baggage handling, security, and queue management. Poor design here creates ripple effects across the entire terminal. 

• Accurate, real-time data is critical, as ticketing interfaces with TSA CBIS, Secure Flight, CBP, and airline platforms. Missteps affect both security screening and baggage tracking. 

• Ticketing is deeply integrated with airport infrastructure, including IT networks, biometrics, ADA compliance, fire/life safety, power systems, and structural design, especially in retrofit conditions. 

• Retrofitting ticketing areas is highly disruptive, requiring phased coordination with airlines, operations, and security due to their location in high-traffic, mission-critical zones. 

At the end of the day, a well-designed and built airport ticketing system makes travel feel effortless. But behind the scenes, it’s one of the most complex pieces of airport infrastructure and one our Aviation team takes great pride in building to serve travelers for generations to come.

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More than 250 key stakeholders, GOAA staff and board members, and media attended the event and signed the beam prior to it being hoisted into place. Additionally, Weitz, Jacobs employees, and Iron Workers placed the ceremonial pine tree on the beam as a part of a longstanding tradition in the industry. This ceremony symbolized the structural phase completion of the 450-foot-long elevated pedestrian walkway, which will provide easy access between Terminal C, the Train Station, the Terminal Link Automated People Mover (APM) connector, the North Terminal, and Parking Garage C. 

“The topping out of the pedestrian bridge is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance connectivity and convenience at Orlando International Airport,” said Kevin J. Thibault, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Most importantly, this bridge, when completed, will provide the seamless link between planes, trains and automobiles that has been the goal of this airport for decades.” 

“The Weitz Company is ecstatic to work with GOAA to improve their overall passenger experience with the Terminal C Pedestrian Bridge & Rental Car Lobby project. Our team understands how projects like these are a key point for many travelers and ensuring a positive experience is vital,” said Ben Bunge, General Manager – Aviation at The Weitz Company. “We are proud to celebrate this topping out milestone with our project team members Rhodes + Brito, Votum Construction, and many others, and we look forward to continuing to work with the key partners and stakeholders as we see this project across the finish line.” 

The Terminal C Pedestrian Bridge & Rental Car Lobby procurement and design project will primarily focus on constructing a pedestrian walkway that is elevated, enclosed, and air-conditioned and an adjacent rental car lobby area on the north side. The rental car lobby will include rental car counters and queuing areas, multi-use information displays, and other enhancements.  

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About The Weitz Company 

Founded in 1855, The Weitz Company is a full-service construction company, general contractor, design builder, and construction manager that serves all 50 U.S. states. Weitz is one of the oldest general contractors in the United States and an industry leader in aviation construction, industrial construction, mission critical construction, virtual design and more. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, The Weitz Company annually ranks in the top tier of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s Top 400 Contractors and Building Design+Construction’s Giants 300 Contractors lists. You can read more about The Weitz Company at https://www.weitz.com/.  

About The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority 

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving more than 58 million annual passengers in its three terminals. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region. 

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While Weitz’s aviation division wasn’t established when Ben started with the company nearly two decades ago, it’s evident he’s been preparing for a role like this his entire career. 

‘Ben started with The Weitz Company as an intern, working while he earned his Construction Engineering degree at Iowa State University. He started full-time in January 2006 as a project engineer. After multiple operations roles over two decades, Ben was named General Manager of Weitz’s rapidly growing aviation division last fall. 

With every chance Ben has taken in his career, his family has been beside him. While large airport construction projects give employees the opportunity to leave their mark, they often require travel for employees and sometimes, their families.  

Ben has worked on seven projects during his nearly two decades with the company. Among the most notable are the Des Moines Downtown Hilton Hotel and the $1.5B Kansas City International (KCI) Airport. His exceptional leadership on the 1.1 million square feet single terminal at KCI helped to significantly impact the company’s aviation construction portfolio, providing the needed experience and momentum to support the launch a dedicated aviation division.  

The success of The Weitz Company’s aviation team doesn’t stop there. The group is currently underway with exciting projects at the Greater Orlando Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and the Des Moines International Airport. With the many airport construction projects on the horizon, Ben and the aviation division are showcasing how taking advantage of growth opportunities at Weitz can transform your own career and the company!    

The Grow with Weitz campaign spotlights talented employees that have grown professionally in ways they wouldn’t have imagined while at The Weitz Company. These profiles illustrate our team’s commitment to growing from within and investing in our people at every stage. Interested in Growing with Weitz? Learn more at: https://www.weitz.com/careers/.  

The post Grow With Weitz: Intern Turned General Manager, Ben Bunge Charts A Path For A Growing Aviation Construction Team  appeared first on Weitz.

The baggage handling system is an essential and complex part of any airport operation, so Pat recommends keeping these three things in mind when designing or upgrading a BHS system:  

1. There are two types of BHS – Conventional Conveyor Centralized and Individual Carrier Systems (ICS). It’s vital to select the one best for your operation.  

Conventional Conveyors are legacy slider beds with belt conveyors. Individual Carrier Systems focus on tubs transported on a track. The technology advantage of this system is centered on the tubs that are RFID-equipped, which provides 100% tracking accuracy throughout the entire BHS process.  

The correct baggage handling system depends on the intricacies of the airport itself.   

2. Start with the endpoint in mind.   

As challenges arise on any project, implementing proactive measures early is vital when handling these complex systems. Pat understands what an integral role BHS plays in the overall airport operations. Without an effective BHS operation identified early on in project planning, an airport risks the facility lacking both operational and overall passenger experience.   

3. The baggage handling system can impact the entire airport operation.   

On average, 2,500 bags move through the system in an hour – handling up to 11,000 bags daily. To ensure positive consumer travel, the baggage handling system must be efficient.  

Built upon collaborative relationships and customer satisfaction, the Weitz team and I are excited to pave the future for baggage handling systems. With all the different technological advancements, I cannot wait to see the growth of these systems as my career continues to serve airports across the nation. With our customer-focused approach, we understand that baggage handling systems are at the heart of the airport, dictating travel efficiency.

Pat Marino, Project Executive Weitz – Aviation

The Weitz Company is a leader in aviation construction with over 40 years of experience. Our company’s well-established portfolio of aviation projects exemplifies our team’s ability to provide innovative solutions to the challenges of building in active airport environments. The Weitz team can manage an airport’s demanding and complex needs by leveraging this experience with our construction and subject matter experts. Learn more about our Weitz Aviation team at: https://www.weitz.com/aviation/   

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This marks the start of the first of three phases for the airport’s overall project plans. Phase 1A of the new terminal building covers a 265,000 SF expansion that includes ticketing, outbound/inbound baggage handling and screening, security, offices, a pedestrian bridge connecting to the new parking garage, and a new concourse with rooms for five new gates, support areas, and a connection to the existing concourse. The additional gates will accommodate larger aircrafts, significantly expanding the airport’s overall passenger capacity with a new meter greeter space, concessions, and hold room amenities.  

As airports evolve, Weitz | Turner understands the importance of constructing a new terminal to enhance travel experience. The new Des Moines International Airport terminal will provide a high-class facility valuing the customer experience while encompassing new technology to support more efficient airline operations.

Dan Solem, Project Executive with Weitz | Turner – Des Moines International Airport 

The new terminal will reimagine the passenger experience, airline processes, and more at Des Moines International Airport where nearly three million passengers pass through the terminal yearly. The new terminal will help exceed the needs of those traveling as the number of visitors and business travelers continues to soar.  

The Weitz Company has completed dozens of landmark projects across Iowa, including its headquarters in Des Moines. Additionally, Weitz has over 40 years of aviation experience with a portfolio spanning around the globe. Including current work at Kansas City, Orlando, Phoenix, and Denver. 

Turner Construction has decades of aviation experience including projects at Denver International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. 

The Weitz Company and Turner Construction are excited to partner again in Des Moines and bring their shared expertise to deliver an exceptional travel experience to all who visit Des Moines International Airport.  

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