Skyport has reached out to the public for used luggage to test baggage equipment at the new passenger terminal building.

A Skyport spokeswoman said those who donate luggage will be given “tags” for a monthly draw, with prizes to include gas vouchers, grocery vouchers and gift cards.

Mikaela Pearman, marketing and communications officer at Skyport, said: “A fully functioning baggage handling system is an integral part of an efficient airport terminal.

“Skyport, along with its partners in the programme will be conducting tests and trials of the system and we encourage members of the community to donate old luggage they are no longer using, so that we can test the system efficiently.

“The testing of equipment brings us one step closer to opening a world-class airport for Bermuda.”

Skyport said the new baggage system was installed by Glidepath, a New Zealand-based company with nearly 50-years of experience in delivering airport baggage handling and integrated security screening systems.

The Skyport spokeswoman said: “The baggage handling system is used to carry bags checked in by passengers, from the flight check-in desks to a holding area where they are then driven to their plane on baggage carts. The complex system is rigged in the ceilings of the first floor of the new building.

“It consists of 242 Conveyors totalling almost 3.5 kilometres in length travelling up to 1.8 meters per second.

“In addition to transporting bags to the flight loading location, the system software will maintain the passenger information for each bag and monitor its position along the conveyor belts.”

Those interested in donating baggage are asked to e-mail orat@skyport.bm or call 299-4832 by December.