The 21 feet long smart tunnel combines all existing and imminent security technology in one place and would slash the time passengers wait at airports. Passengers would simply walk the length of the tunnel while they are scanned.
A version is expected to be trialled within 18 months and could be rolled out at major airports within five years. Currently security can take around 10 minutes at the most efficient airports which now includes Heathrow’s Terminal 5. It is hoped that the waiting time would also be cut as a result of the quicker screening process.
A prototype of the new technology was unveiled in Singapore on Monday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents the world’s major airlines.
It features screening methods which are: either already commonplace at airports – such as body scanners – or those which are expected to be introduced soon, including liquid detectors.
The IATA system would divide passengers into three categories, who would initially be identified by an iris-recognition system before entering the arches. So-called “known travellers” who have been pre-screened would only face an x-ray, metal and liquid detector. “Normal travellers” would also have their shoes scanned automatically and pass through an explosive trace detector.
Anyone whose behaviour raised concern – such as a passenger buying a one way ticket in cash – would go through a different channel which would also feature a full body scanner.