From the ever-present threat of a COVID-19 resurgence to terrorism and state-sponsored attacks, airports have a greater need for security than ever. In the face of near overwhelming pressure to kickstart the aviation industry post pandemic, airport security operators favour a technology-led approach over a heavy human presence at almost every turn.
This has led to a surging investment trend in airport security technology purchases and installations. The global airport security market was valued at $9.51 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5 % from 2022-2030, almost doubling to $18.23 billion during this period.
But what will this tech-laden disruptive phase in airport security look like on the ground? How will it affect passengers’ journeys? And how will it keep them safe?
Top disruptive techs poised to achieve next-gen Airport Security
Multi-layer screening: The age of a single security checkpoint at an airport is coming to an end. Every good engineer will tell you that no single system is infallible, and no single strongpoint is invulnerable. Accordingly, airports will harden their security setup by introducing multi-layer screening processes. These layers of security may start as early in the passenger journey as arriving at the car park. Screening points or broader areas may be installed at key sections of the passenger journey, such as baggage drop-off, check-in kiosks, on inner airport transport vehicles and in commercial zones. The key will be to make additional security screening as effective as possible without further inconveniencing passengers. This may lead airports to favour a more non-invasive approach of walk-through scanning or other screening methods that don’t require individuals to break off from what they are doing.
Shoe scanners: The day is coming when you will no longer need to take your shoes off to get through airport security. This is already the case in some leading airports, due to the advent of advanced shoe scanners that use millimetre-wave imaging that is much more detailed than conventional metal detectors. Dedicated shoe scanners can check for weaponry, drugs and other illicit substances.
Biometrics: Facial recognition and finger/thumbprint scanners are already a regular feature at leading international airports. The progression of biometric-based technologies’ usefulness to airport security is occurring along two lines. Firstly, a broader range of bio-signatures (palm, retina, voice, gait, etc) will be trackable, traceable and available for analysis as such technologies improve. Secondly, this bio-coded information will become more broadly useable by security operators. They will be able to speed up security checkpoint processing with faster and more accurate bio-screening. They will more easily avoid false alarms and cases of mistaken identity improving the passenger experience as well as the efficiency of their own operations. They will essentially be able to understand, more quickly and accurately than ever, who is in their airport, and who shouldn’t be.
Deeper integration of AI: More cameras, sensors and scanners mean more information coming at security operators, often faster than they can keep up. The emerging trend of integrating security equipment data into more coherent, actionable intelligence through the use of AI systems is rapidly accelerating. AI can coordinate security systems, piece together data to identify and flag threats faster than a single human or even a team of operators might otherwise manage using conventional surveillance methods.
‘Open Architecture’ security systems: Groups of criminals and terrorists constantly work together to evaluate, undermine and overcome airport security systems. There are stronger calls from airport security experts to do the same, to work together to keep one step ahead of their adversaries. Open architecture is a design method where security checkpoints and systems do not rely on a single provider. Instead, a heavily AI-based approach allows security data to be produced and shared in an open-source format, which in turn allows for faster sharing between different groups of security experts to assess potential threats in real time.
Airport exemplar: Seychelles International Airport (SEZ)
SEZ achieved a ‘world first’ in December last year when it launched its health biometric corridor. While Dubai International Airport was the first in the world to successfully launch walk-through biometric security screening (which is still being upgraded and improved), SEZ’s ‘bio-corridor’ is focused on health matters as well as security, in the wake of the pandemic.
The system uses facial recognition technology, while also checking the temperature of each passenger, to determine their classification for handling, checking their details against the Seychelles Islands Travel Authorisation system to see if the individual as submitted to all the proper checks prior to boarding. This means that passengers can literally walk through and be admitted, if they have done the prior checks – they don’t even have to show a QR code or present their passport.
The system combines highly advanced cameras with biometric engines powered by AI to achieve a match rate of one passenger in under a second. The bio-corridor can successfully process 30 passengers per minute with minimal margin for error.
Airports are catching up with other industry sectors on tech-based security advances
Recent years have seen airport security operators frustrated by the increase of challenges (related to the pandemic) without the necessary leap forward in technological capability to help shoulder the burden. Many airports rely too heavily on human operators, and are lagging behind more technologically advanced and accepting industries, such as pharma, automotive and more pioneering elements of the retail industry.
This is set to change. The burden of the pandemic and heightened geopolitical tension necessitates a more tech-based approach to hardening airports and making their security setup fit for purpose. However, humans will still remain the most important link in any airport’s security chain. This will necessitate better and more agile training of security operators as they get to grips with the evolving tools of their trade. This is something fully understood by training service providers like Saudi Airport Exhibitor STI. As this decade unfolds, expect to see the world’s leading airports unveil their technologically advanced solutions for ensuring the safety and security of passengers, staff and infrastructure.
