No stopping, stripping or unpacking at Checkpoint of the Future
By Mustafa Shafawi / Dylan Loh | Posted: 07 June 2011 1202 hrs
SINGAPORE: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Tuesday unveiled the first mock-up of a Checkpoint of the Future, designed to enhance security while reducing queues and intrusive searches at airports, using intelligence-driven risk-based measures.
It was shown to the delegates who attended the Association's 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Singapore.
IATA's Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said despite spending US$7.4 billion a year to keep aviation secure, passengers only see hassle.
He said with the help of a screening technology that is being developed, passengers should be able to get from curb to boarding gate with dignity. That means without stopping, stripping or unpacking, and certainly not groping.
The system involves authorities issuing new biometric passports. These passports may be issued after background checks are done on people.
Passengers approaching the checkpoint will be directed to one of three lanes: "known traveller", "normal", and "enhanced security".
The determination will be based on a biometric identifier in the passport or other travel document that triggers the results of a government risk assessment before the passenger arrives at the airport.
The three security lanes will have technology to check passengers according to risk.
"Known travellers" who have registered and completed background checks with government authorities will have expedited access.
"Normal screening" would be for the majority of travellers.
And those passengers for whom less information is available, who are randomly selected or who are deemed to be an "elevated risk" would have an additional level of screening.
It is envisioned that the security process could be combined with outbound customs and immigration procedures, further streamlining the passenger experience.
While some of the technology still needs to be developed, even by just re-purposing what is available today, major changes could be seen in in two or three years time, Mr Bisignani added.
Changi Airport said it will work with authorities to study the system's feasibility and assess its suitability for implementation.
Ken Dunlap, Global Director of Security and Travel Facilitation with the IATa, said: "Changi Airport has a very professional staff and I'm sure that when we sit down and further tell them the ideas that we have, maybe they'll figure it out where they want to put it, where it would work best.
"We certainly are looking forward to a dialogue and continuing our dialogue with the airport to see if this is something they're interested in."
Through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 19 governments, including the United States, are working to define standards for a Checkpoint of the Future.
IATA is also coordinating closely with the US Department of Homeland Security's Checkpoint of Tomorrow program which has similar goals.
-CNA/ck
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What passengers wantby SITAOnline2,319 views
Our commercial aviation industry is by far one of the most important economic/social aspects of our planet's infrastructure. Terrorists have used this to their advantage time and time again; they're not going after the people, they're going after our economical infrastructure. Also, crimes such as what you are referring to usually do not fall into federal jurisdiction, and therefore are in no way related to what you are seeing in this video. Have a nice day.
rsarver81 2 months ago
This is silly...
Italo52004 5 months ago
How fucking ridiculous. How many people are assaulted and murdered everyday. How may people have been killed by terrorists on airplanes? Next, they will be scanning you at the grocery stores.
ArizonaSean 8 months ago