Travellers flying out of Adelaide Airport will be able to keep their laptops and other electronic devices in their bags when going through the security checkpoint as part of a trial of new X-Ray equipment.
The airport has installed new 3D X-Ray machines and body scanners, as well as an automated tray return system, that aims to save time and improve the passenger experience.
“We anticipate equipment similar to what we are trialling today will be rolled out across multiple screening lanes from the end of the year,” Adelaide Airport executive general manager for finance and corporate Brenton Cox said in a statement on Thursday.
“The new scanner of cabin baggage utilises computed tomography (CT) to generate a 3D image, providing a significantly enhanced view of items being screened compared with the current x-ray equipment.
“The automated tray return system is expected to speed up passenger screening and reduces the need for manual handling of trays by our security team.”
We're trialling new 3D x-ray scanner technology which means #Adelaide Airport visitors won't need to remove laptops and other electronic devices for screening. The trial also features state-of-the-art body scanners and a new automated tray return system. https://t.co/l6OlYb6YPh pic.twitter.com/xKTe5THysH
— Adelaide Airport (@AdelaideAirport) April 11, 2019
Participation in the trial was optional, with travellers having the choice of using either the new equipment or existing security scanners.
Cox noted the body scanning technology was already in place for those travelling internationally out of Australia.
“The scanner under trial features an open plan design, meaning passengers simply stand in front of the scanner with their arms held slightly away from the body,” Cox said.
“If the scanner reports an alarm, the location of the object is marked on a generic graphic of the human body – with no identifying features – preserving the privacy of passengers.”
New X-ray machine on trial @AdelaideAirport expected to boost security and reduce wait times.
Among the perks: Travellers no longer have to remove laptops from their bags.
Details @7NewsAdelaide #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/ZPXXnMe6qd
— Andrea Nicolas (@AndreaLNicolas) April 11, 2019
In August 2018, Adelaide Airport commenced building works on a $165 million project that will increase the terminal space by 16,500 square metres, including larger immigration and security screening areas.
The terminal works also included VIP facilities for international departures and arrivals and a common user premium departure lounge for international passengers.
The Adelaide Airport 2014 master plan showed the number of passengers at the airport was expected to reach almost 17 million by 2034, compared with 8.4 million in 2017/18.
The airport is currently working on its next master plan, with the preliminary draft expected to be released in late July 2019.
