Perth Airport embarks on “significant” security upgrade

Perth Airport has announced that it has “embarked on a significant upgrade” of its passenger screening infrastructure across all terminals.

The new advanced security screening equipment is being introduced as part of the Federal Government mandate to further strengthen Australia’s domestic and international aviation security.

Airport CEO, Kevin Brown, said the airport’s top priority is to ensure the safety and security of passengers and their loved ones who come to the airport to see them off.

“The new state of the art equipment has been designed to enhance airport security by improving the efficiency of the screening process and detection levels,” enthused Brown.

“The upgrades include new body scanners, walkthrough metal-detectors, and X-ray machine, explosive trace detection systems and secondary viewing stations with ETD.

“The body scanner has been a part of the international screening requirements for a number of years and will be introduced into domestic travel screening lanes, but with updated technology.

“The implementation of this more sophisticated, faster body scanners at domestic screening points will require passengers to walk between two walls, pause, and stand straight in a relaxed pose. The scan will take less than a second.”

He continues: “The body scanners can detect all foreign matter, both metal and non-metal, carried by a person to within a millimetre of the skin, and then pin-point it on an outline of the person’s body illustrated in the form of an avatar or ‘stickperson’.

“As was the case when the last round of security processes that were implemented in 2012, the new equipment and what will be required will take some passengers to adapt so we may see some delays at screening.”

According to the airport, “another major improvement” will be the introduction of CT scanners for all international and domestic carry-on baggage, eliminating the need to remove computers and aerosols from bags for the screening process.

The new CT-x-ray machine will use 3D technology to ease detection of suspect goods in passengers’ carry-on bags.

“Most travellers these days have a laptop or tablet device which they must remove from their luggage for screening. Many travellers also carry aerosol cans such as shaving foam which must also be scanned separately,” adds Brown.

“The new system will allow passengers to leave these items in their hand luggage, making for a more streamlined process and less hassle for passengers.

“The CT x-ray screening process differs from today due to all items needing to be broken down into the tray therefore dedicated goods screening lanes utilising existing screening equipment will be provided as part of the project.”