The world of airport security is about to be revolutionised. A few people may remember a time when security checks were not that strict and one could take their favourite perfume on holiday without having to worry about the volume of the bottle. The 100ml liquid restriction, along with having to place the container in a transparent bag, separate from the rest of the luggage, has only been in place since 2006, following a bomb threat on several planes between the UK and USA.
This cutting-edge kit will not only keep the airport safe with the latest technology, but will mean that our future passengers can keep their focus on getting on with their journeys and spend less time preparing for security screening.
Chris Garton, COO at Heathrow Airport, for Business Traveller
Over the past few years, airports have been testing new scanners that could soon allow travellers to leave their laptops and liquids, even without a volume restriction, inside their bags during screening. The equipment uses Computer Tomography (CT) technology, allowing for a more accurate detection of dangerous items, like weapons and explosives. Called ConneCT, the scanner was created by Analogic, a company specialising in imaging technology for medical, as well as security purposes.
CT technology provides enhanced detection of threat items (…) the machines create such a clear picture of a bag’s contents that computers can automatically detect explosives, including liquids.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The CT technology allows the new scanners to create very detailed 3D scans of a bag’s contents and officers can then view and rotate the image to be able to analyse the contents very carefully. Furthermore, the machines also use complex algorithms to detect weapons, explosives and other prohibited items. Due to the high accuracy of the apparatus, they can even detect explosives in liquids, which is why travellers could soon be allowed to leave them in their bags when going through security.
They provide our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improve the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.
TSA
Shannon Airport, in Ireland, has already installed the $2.7 million dollar system, while other airports in Europe and the USA are planning on installing the equipment this year. Heathrow Airport has been testing the machines since 2019 and is planning on full implementation by 1 December. In the United States, the TSA has invested $781.2 million in 1,000 scanners, to start being used across the country this summer.
