Airport flight to world first in the bag with speedier security checks

Stacy Shi

People departing Hong Kong through the airport will soon experience a faster and more convenient security screening process.

Starting next month, they will no longer need to remove electronic devices from their carry-on bags when going through security checks.

The Airport Authority is set to introduce a new smart security system in phases over the next two years. This will include the installation of 50 new security check channels and 32 full-body scanners.

"By the time the project is complete, Hong Kong will become the world's first airport to fully adopt a smart security screening system," said airport operations executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung.

The system's implementation follows on from a pledge made by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in his policy address last year to introduce new measures at the airport to speed up and ease the screening process.

The new system, costing HK$800 million, will feature several upgrades.

Computerized tomography X-ray machines will give security personnel three-dimensional views to more easily identify potential contraband in luggage.

Automated baggage trays will eliminate the need for manual retrievals.

Additionally, full-body scanners will replace hand-held metal detectors, minimizing physical contact.

As a result of these enhancements, the time required for each passenger to be screened will decrease from 15 to 10 seconds.

The capacity of each security channel will rise from 240 passengers per hour to 360.

"Overall, the airport's total security screening capacity is expected to rise by 20 percent, from 8,400 passengers per hour to 10,000," Siu said, with the total number of security channels to be reduced from the current 35 to 28.

The new systems will be trialed in four channels first at the south and north departure halls starting next Tuesday.

A total of 3,100 staff have been trained for the upgraded procedures.

While manpower requirements may decrease by 25 percent during non-peak hours, staffing levels during peak hours are expected to remain unchanged.

The excess personnel will be redeployed to assist with the opening of terminal two in 2026.

The new baggage trays will also feature an alarm system to alert passengers if they leave items behind.

Non-radioactive full-body scanners will also to be introduced, replacing security officers clearing travelers using hand-held metal detectors, to minimize body contact, Siu added.

Aviation Security Co executive director Jacob Cheung Tak-keung said 3,100 people had been trained for the new system.

"With the new technology, we expect manpower utilization can be reduced by a quarter during non-peak hours," he said, adding that it might remain the same during peak hours.