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Checkpoint of the future

GE-Security recently unveiled its new vision for transforming the traditional airport passenger security checkpoint.

The so-called 'Checkpoint of the Future', presented in Europe in March for the first time, is expected to help make air travel safer, security less costly and the passenger experience faster at airport checkpoints.

"GE-Security plans to use its leadership in CT-based baggage screening in Europe, and its extensive research and development capability, to create a regionally-focused Checkpoint of the Future concept," says Brett Birch, African Region leader for GE-Security.

"It is hoped that this concept will improve the effectiveness of checkpoint security; while reducing the total cost of ownership for governments and airport operators across the European and African regions," he adds.

Birch says that GE-Security is also introducing its latest trace detection portal, the EntryScan4; which is expected to be a component of the Checkpoint of the Future.

"We are in discussions with major European airports for establishment of the region's first Checkpoint of the Future laboratory - a complete, real-world security lane to test and prove security technologies in line with emerging European Union passenger screening regulations. We hope to be able to make a deployment announcement soon."

"Advanced explosives detection is currently only in widespread use for screening checked baggage, which leaves carry-on luggage and passengers mostly untouched by these technologies," comments Matthew Farr, senior homeland security analyst, Frost & Sullivan.

According to Birch, the Checkpoint presents a variety of custom configurations to suit the individual needs of airport authorities, based on three emerging technologies not in current use for passenger screening operations.

These include:

Millimetre wave and quadruple resonance for scanning passengers and their shoes for the presence of threat objects.

Computed tomography (CT), already used extensively for screening of passengers' checked bags, to be used for screening carry-on items.

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