LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thousands of travelers are leaving the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport wandering why it takes them so long to get their checked bags.

Some people are waiting to get their luggage for about 20 minutes, and others wait more than an hour, an issue that's partly due to only two working carousels. One side of the baggage claim area is open to the public, and the other side is closed and under construction.

As the holiday season approaches, so does increased frustration.

"It's always very slow here," said John Gilderbloom, a professor at the University of Louisville and a frequent SDF flyer. "It's like you have to wait and wait and wait. I mean, look at the crowd. It's crazy."

Right now, passengers are pushed to one side, while the other side remains closed off, as the airport continues overhauling the baggage claim system.

"We understand it's not always the easiest and can seem a little busy and crowded for people using the facility, but it is all for good news," said Natalie Chaudoin, public relations director for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. "Unfortunately, this is what progress looks like right now. It's good stuff coming, but we are kind of at that pain point at this moment."

The current project carries a $10 million price tag, bringing new baggage belts and oversized baggage areas for large items like golf clubs to both sides of the room, which is needed. One side is done, complete with a new carousel for bags that's sleeker and closer to the back wall to allow for more room for passengers to maneuver the area. What was once five belts will be just four, and passengers will see their bag at all times now without it having to go back behind a wall before reappearing.

Half of the area was revamped just in time for the Labor Day weekend, which had a 28% increase in passengers compared to 2022. The second side of baggage claim is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.

Officials say, for its size, this is the fastest-growing airport in the country.

"... that is a really great thing for our community but it does cause some questions for people that aren't use to seeing that large volume of travelers, or they're like, 'Why am I having to wait for my bags a little longer than I am used to?'' Chaudoin said. "Well, there are more people. It's not uncommon for people to get to baggage claim before their bags are placed on the belt."

With only two working carousels thousands of travelers anxiously wait to leave.

"They are going to make it better," said Denver Moore, who landed in Louisville on Sunday from Chicago. "You just gotta live through this part."

For anyone expecting to fly soon, people who work at the airport ask you to remain patient. They say only one plane can unload bags at a time, and, sometimes, up to four land at a time.

"I wish they would improve the management and (more people could) get on the airport board," Gilderbloom said. "There's good people like myself who travel a lot know a lot and can give good advice, but we're not listened to."

Chaudoin said she's confident in the airport staff and management, all of whom she said are working diligently to get things running smoothly again.

"There's good stuff happening at the airport," she said. "We're confident that the improvements here will make that baggage claim process significantly better, much more efficient, a better customer experience overall. And we're looking forward to seeing that really come into play totally once the other side opens right before Thanksgiving."

The baggage claim overhaul is only part of the $500 million "SDF Next" project. For more information on SDF Next, click here.

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