Category: Industry News

Moscow Domodedovo Airport and S7 Airlines have implemented SITA’s Scan&Fly self-bag drop technology, after a successful test in early September on S7 check-in counters. 24 check-in counters will be equipped at Domodedovo, allowing other airlines to use the service. Scan&Fly takes less than a minute, providing passengers with a faster, more efficient process to check-in their own bags

A further 15 Scan&Fly units at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) have been deployed, following the successful implementation of 15 units earlier this year. Baggage processing time has been cut in half for AirAsia passengers using the technology, reducing the wait time for check-in by 40%. SITA’s Scan&Fly has improved resource management KLIA2, with an average of six agents needed for bag drop versus the 15 required to do traditional check-in desks.

Scan&Fly is equipped with a document scanner and a hand-held infrared barcode reader. It takes three steps for passengers to check-in a bag. First, the boarding pass barcode (printed or digital) is scanned, a bag tag is printed and then the passenger attaches the tag to their bag before depositing it for processing.

Smiths Detection has gained ECAC EDS CB C3 approval for its HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX checkpoint scanner. The system generates precise 3D images which, combined with the capability for automatic explosive detection, eliminates the need to remove electronic devices and liquids from hand luggage (subject to local authority guidelines). It integrates into current security lanes and is also expected to improve productivity, passenger experience and lower operational costs.

Removing the need to take out electronic devices and liquids from hand luggage means handling fewer, trays which can significantly increase checkpoint throughput and the 0.2m/s belt speed and low false alarm rate also speed up the process.

Adani, working together with Omega Risk Solutions, Angola, has been chosen to supply its XSC full body security screening systems to assist Angolan authorities in the screening and detection of potential drug smugglers attempting to transport illicit substances in and out of Angola.

Apstec Systems™ has announced that its Human Security Radar® (HSR®), the first fully automatic real-time mass people screening solution, has been selected by Esenboga Airport, Ankara, to significantly boost security in landside areas. Chosen following a rigorous selection process, including a pilot installation, HSR will be installed at the terminal entrances as part of ongoing security enhancement measures by the Turkish State Airports Authority. It will enable people screening without slowing down the flow of traffic, with each system capable of scanning up to 10,000 individuals per hour.

Air Caraibes and French Bee have chosen ICTS’ TravelDoc as their automated document check software.

Isavia, Iceland’s national airport and air navigation service provider, have announced plans to expand the Veovo Flow Management Solution within Keflavík International Airport due to the rapid growth of passengers visiting the airport.

The technology, which consists of sensors and advanced deep learning algorithms, will provide a cohesive picture of how passengers move through and use the airport and how disruptions or changes affect standard behaviour, enabling more informed operational and business decisions.

Initially implemented at check-in and security processes in 2016, the solution provides wait time and occupancy figures to help meet service level agreements and alleviate overcrowding. Alongside this, Keflavík also deployed Veovo’s Airport Management System for operational visibility to enhance resource management. Together, the solutions ensure wait times and flight information are communicated on screens and mobile app, keeping passengers informed.

With the extended roll-out, Keflavík will have a detailed view of passengers´ movement patterns, from the moment they arrive until boarding the plane. The airport will be able to extract any combination of data, both real-time and historical, for all areas, broken down per flight.

Harris Corporation and L3 Technologies, Inc. have agreed to combine in an all stock merger of equals to create a global defence technology leader, focused on developing differentiated and mission critical solutions for customers around the world. Upon completion of the merger, Harris shareholders will own approximately 54% and L3 shareholders will own approximately 46% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

The combined company, L3 Harris Technologies, Inc., will be the sixth largest defence company in the U.S. and a top 10 defence company globally, with approximately 48,000 employees and customers in over 100 countries. For calendar year 2018, the combined company is expected to generate net revenue of approximately $16 billion, EBIT of $2.4 billion and free cash flow of $1.9 billion.

Smiths Detection, and its local distributor, Eastronics, have been selected by the Israel Airport Authority (IAA) to supply 32 advanced checkpoint lanes for Ben Gurion Airport and the new Ramon International Airport, which is due to open in 2019. These latest lane designs from Smiths incorporate automated tray return and diversion and were developed to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.

The ability to deliver a total solution and integrate it with IAA’s unique security concept of operations (CONOPS) was a key factor in winning the contract. It comprises 20 lanes for Terminal 3 and six for Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport. Six further lanes will be installed at Ramon Airport. Re-check workstations, an option for remote screening and a supervisory control & data acquisition system (SCADA) for image retention, monitoring, statistics and reporting were also included in the order. Delivery and installation of the new equipment will begin in May 2019.

Xjera Labs, in partnership with Changi Airport Group and Certis, have launched the Multi-Signal Surveillance Platform (MSS), which will pilot indoors at Changi Airport over a three to six-month period.

Founded in December 2013 in Singapore, Xjera Labs Pte Ltd focuses on developing artificial intelligence (AI) based image and video analytics (VA) solutions for various commercial applications with proven accuracy, high-level customisation and robust security. Their projects have included providing VA services to a local theme park, a chain of sushi restaurants, logistics companies, shopping malls, and government agencies.

MSS is an automated security surveillance project, which combines VA with AI. Unlike most security cameras that only capture video evidence, MSS combines sound and light, otherwise known as co-training, which is believed to improve the accuracy in which abnormal activities are detected. False positive alerts and the manual monitoring of video feeds can be reduced.
MSS is trained to recognise abnormal language, semantics and human actions. A propriety deep learning neural network, using Athena, supports MSS. The machine is trained to recognise faces, persons of interest, vehicle flow, crowds, cracks and spalling in the infrastructure, and provide social media satellite image analytics.

Smiths Detection has received an order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) totalling USD $70 million (approx. £53 million) to supply CTX 9800 Explosives Detection Systems (EDS). The systems, which utilise computed tomography (CT) imaging, will be deployed to U.S. airports as security equipment upgrades or as part of expansion projects throughout 2018 and 2019 for checked baggage screening.

The CTX 9800 system’s 3D CT imaging technology detects and identifies explosives. The scanners can be incorporated into customised networking solutions and offer operational efficiencies, including energy savings. Certified by several regulatory authorities including the TSA, the CTX 9800 is also approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference as meeting Standard 3 requirements.

Some of the sites receiving the new scanners include: San Diego, CA; Miami, FL; New York, NY (LaGuardia); Philadelphia, PA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Chicago, IL (O’Hare); Seattle, WA (SeaTac); Spokane, WA; Orlando, FL; and Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN.