A mock-up of how the IATA system will work. Each yellow disc represents a phase of the total security checking procedure. See the attached video for a full explanation.
7 JUN: Airport security checks could take as little as five seconds with a system unveiled at an IATA conference in Singapore yesterday.
A so-called ‘smart tunnel’ extending barely seven metres combines existing and planned new technology.
Travellers will be scanned as they walk along the tunnel.
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A version featuring body scanning and liquid detectors is expected to be trialled within 18 months and could be rolled out at major airports worldwide within five years.
Major airports currently allow about 30 seconds for travellers to pass through security checks, including emptying pockets, removing shoes and so on.
But this doesn’t take into account the time spent gathering belongings again, nor the time they have to queue before reaching checkpoints.
This is likely to take at least 10 minutes at even the most efficient airports, IATA says.
The new system will divide passengers into three categories, with everyone identified initially by iris-recognition technology.
So-called ‘known’ travellers who have been pre-screened will face only an X-ray, metal and liquid detector.
‘Normal’ travellers will also have their shoes scanned automatically and pass through an explosives trace detector.
The third category will be people whose behaviour raises concern - such as a passenger buying a one way ticket in cash. This person will go through a channel which would also features a full-body scanner.
