Why moving through airport security could soon get easier
New screening technology is being trialled at Melbourne Airport that could help streamline the process and get travellers through security more quickly.
In an Australian first, the airport is trialling a CT scanner, which produces a 3D image of the contents of a passenger’s bag.
The technology has been likened to the X-ray machines used in the medical industry, aviation chief Simon Gandy said.
“You’ve got much greater capability of analysing what’s in the bag,” he said.
Computers, iPads, liquids and gels can stay in a suitcase using this technology, but dangerous items can still be detected.
“So from start to end, if you don’t get held up, [the process is] as fast as you can walk from one end to the other,” Mr Gandy said.
The trial also incorporates a smart lane which diverts a bag with potentially dangerous goods so it can be inspected.
Furthermore it means there is no longer a need for those time-consuming chemical detectors.
“Globally, it’s starting to be adopted now. And we’re seeing significant market interest globally in this technology,” Smiths Detection’s Jordan Thrupp said.
Melbourne airport hopes to begin the rollout of 20 new machines in terminals 2, 3 and 4 by next year, but it will have to be done in stages so passengers are not disrupted.
