No need to unpack anymore: super scanners are now coming to Swiss airports

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Endless assumptions in airport security. Which lane is fastest? You pick a short queue, but it takes five minutes for the two people in front of you to pull the laptop from the depths of their backpacks and collect all the jars containing less than 100 milliliters of liquid. In some places abroad, unnecessary checks have already come to an end thanks to modern technology.

New computed tomography (CT) scanners make it possible to take a three-dimensional view of luggage. Security guards can X-ray bags in layers and even find explosives. For passengers, this means saving time, liquids and electronics can now stay in the suitcase. Because images are now more accurate, there is less tracking control.

Already in use in Geneva

The pioneer of this technology in Europe was Geneva Airport. Two 3D scanners have been running since 2018. The media spokesperson is happy with the machines: “3D scanners speed up the process so much because nothing needs to be removed from the trunk.” The airport will install a third scanner next year to act as a priority line. All other passengers should continue to use conventional lines. “For architectural reasons, we can no longer equip the security lines with new technology,” explains the spokesperson. As part of the terminal’s revamp, super browsers will be installed everywhere by 2032.

Experiments are also being carried out at Zurich Airport. “Tendering for the test equipment is currently ongoing,” the airport’s media spokesperson said. The first testers should be operational next year. How expensive the project will be depends on the “effectively procured material”. Blick knows that new devices cost ten times more than a conventional X-ray machine. There are also automatic luggage carousels. The project can quickly cost several million.

Larger and heavier than traditional devices

EuroAirport near Basel is also interested. Blick knows the airport is doing a tech study. “The aim is to gain experience with integration and related changes in the entire control process,” a spokesperson confirmed.

However, there is no fixed schedule for the introduction of devices yet, because the installation contains several problems. The new scanners are significantly larger and heavier than traditional scanning devices. Also, the luggage belts need to be replaced before and after the machine. “For these reasons, it’s impossible to simply replace today’s devices,” the spokesperson said.

CT scanners are also used abroad. Scanners are currently in use or are planned at airports in Germany, USA, UK, Netherlands, Ireland and Spain.

Source :Blick