Officials Close Part of Denver Airport’s New Baggage System

United Airlines has shut down part of the automated baggage system at Denver International Airport and may abandon it altogether for inbound flights if bag-sorting problems are not solved, a spokesman said.

“The bags keep missing their destinations, and we have to search them out and get them to people,” Tony Molinaro said Thursday.

The much-touted system, shown chewing up and spitting out bags in early tests, was originally intended to move bags around the entire airport, but now only serves United Airlines gates. Other airlines stick to common tug-and-cart systems.

Until the airline and BAE Automated Systems Inc. agree that the system is working properly, United is withholding a final $17.5-million payment on the $230-million system. BAE spokeswoman Laurie Cant denied any problems.