Issues & Trends – June 2011

IATA ROLLS OUT AIRPORT ‘CHECKPOINT OF THE FUTURE’
Intelligence-based approach finds ‘bad people’ instead of looking for ‘bad objects’

IATA this month unveiled the first mock-up of a ‘checkpoint of the future’, designed to enhance security while reducing queues and intrusive searches at airports. On display at the association’s annual general meeting in Singapore, the checkpoint uses intelligence-driven risk-based measures.

IATA’s outgoing director general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani said: “We spend $US7.4 billion a year to keep aviation secure. But our passengers only see hassle.

“Passengers should be able to get from kerb to boarding gate with dignity. That means without stopping, stripping or unpacking, and certainly not groping.

“That is the mission for the check-point of the future. We must make co-ordinated investments for civilised flying.”

The checkpoint proposed by IATA has three main facets:

• Strengthened security by focusing resources where risk is greatest;
• Supporting this risk-based approach by integrating passenger information into the checkpoint process; and
• Maximising throughput for the vast majority of travellers who are deemed to be low risk with no compromise on security levels.

“Today’s checkpoint was designed four decades ago to stop hijackers carrying metal weapons,” said Bisignani.

“Since then, we have grafted on more complex procedures to meet emerging threats. We are more secure, but it is time to rethink everything.

“We need a process that responds to today’s threat. It must amalgamate intelligence based on passenger information and new technology.

“That means moving from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people.”

Under the proposed IATA security system, passengers approaching the checkpoint will be directed to one of three lanes: “known traveller”, “normal” and “enhanced security”.

Passengers will be assigned a lane based on a biometric identifier in the passport or other travel document that triggers the results of a risk assessment conducted by government 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” will be for the majority of travellers. Other passengers – such as those for whom less information is available, those who are deemed to be an elevated risk and some randomly selected from the “normal” category – will have an additional level of screening.

According to IATA, sreening technology is being developed that will allow passengers to walk through the checkpoint without having to remove clothes or unpack their belongings. Moreover, it is envisaged that the security process could be combined with outbound customs and immigration procedures, further streamlining the passenger experience.

Through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 19 governments, including the US, are working to define “checkpoint of the future” and IATA says it is liaising with the US Department of Homeland Security’s “checkpoint of tomorrow” program which has similar goals.

“We have the ability to move to the biometric scanning and three-lane concept right now. And while some of the technology still needs to be developed, even by just re-purposing what we have today, we could see major changes in two or three years time,” said Bisignani.