The Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s Office of Transport Security has begun trialling new airport scanner and x-ray technologies to better detect explosives in liquids, aerosols and gels.
The new equipment comprises two new multi-view explosive detection x-ray machines and a number of bottle liquid scanners, and have the potential to negate the need for passengers to discard larger liquids/aerosols/gels on international flights. The trials began an Melbourne Airport on November 24, and will be extended to Sydney Airport on November 29.
“These trials are an important step toward the roll out of these technologies in Australia’s international airports in the future, gathering data that will assist in implementing new technologies with the minimum disruption to passengers,” said Paul Retter, executive director of the Office of Transport Security.
“The trials will contribute to international efforts to remove liquid restrictions on international flights, at present passengers must declare all liquids, aerosols and gels for inspection before boarding, and are restricted in the amount they can carry on.”
The trials are part of the $200 million aviation security package the federal government announced in February.
