Australian airport security scanners: Sydney, Melbourne airports yet to complete rollout of faster scanning technology

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Australian airport security scanners: Sydney, Melbourne airports yet to complete rollout of faster scanning technology

By Katherine Scott
Sydney Airport is yet to install new, faster security scanning technology, almost four years after the federal government announced an overhaul.

Sydney Airport is yet to install new, faster security scanning technology, almost four years after the federal government announced an overhaul.Credit: Peter Rae

Some of Australia's busiest domestic airport terminals, including those in Sydney and Melbourne, have still not upgraded to new time-saving scanners, almost four years after the government announced a comprehensive security overhaul.

The three-dimensional CT scanning technology eliminates the need to remove laptops, electronic devices, aerosols, gels and liquids while passing through security, and aims to cut waiting times by up to 50 per cent.

The Department of Home Affairs first flagged the aviation security revamp in 2018, with a mandate for all airports with security screening checkpoints to upgrade their passenger and baggage screening equipment to advanced X-ray and body scanner technology.

Travellers pass through security at Melbourne Airport's Terminal 1 during the Easter holidays. Thus far, only the airport's Terminal 4 has the new scanners installed.

Travellers pass through security at Melbourne Airport's Terminal 1 during the Easter holidays. Thus far, only the airport's Terminal 4 has the new scanners installed.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Other new technologies required will help to reduce the number of manual explosive checks.

So far, the new scanners have been rolled out to Darwin, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne's Terminal 4, but upgrades are ongoing at other major airports including Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart and the other terminals at Melbourne.

Melbourne Airport installed four new "smart lanes" in Terminal 4 in 2019 featuring the new scanners as part of a $400 million terminal upgrade. The scanners were meant to be rolled out to Terminal 2 and the international terminal the same year, but still haven't been installed.

Sydney Airport, which is yet to implement the new scanners, had queues for security stretching out the front door at various times leading up to the Easter long weekend.

COVID-related staff shortages factored into the closure of multiple security lanes that contributed to the bottleneck at Sydney Airport, leading the NSW government to exempt aviation workers from close contact rules to relieve pressure.

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The airport is currently in the process of upgrading its security screening points at Terminal 3.

The nationwide upgrade is part of the government's Strengthening Aviation Security Initiative, which aims to align Australia's national security screening standards with those of other major airlines around the world.

The federal government has allocated more than $50 million to 47 eligible regional airports to help fund the huge upgrade to baggage and passenger screening checks, though not to Australia's busiest airports.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said different airports will implement the new technologies at different times, but would not confirm a completion date.

"Some airports have already [completed upgrades]. The department is working with airports and airlines as these new technologies are rolled out across the country," said the spokesperson.

"Security is an ongoing priority at airports; there is no 'deadline' at which this will cease.

"The public can be assured that measures are in place at all security-regulated airports to ensure the safety and security of all travellers and airport workers."

Neil Fergus, security expert and CEO of Intelligent Risks, said a combination of COVID significantly slowing aviation activity and staffing issues at security companies may be contributing to the delay in airport upgrades.

"We are in a very interesting period in terms of aviation security, transitioning back to business as usual, trying to lift capabilities and restore competencies," said Fergus.

Fergus said that travellers will still need to be prepared to remove everything from shoes, jackets and coins to keys and laptops, with staffing issues also potentially affecting how often screening machines are monitored and calibrated, leading to more false-alarm triggers.

"Every shift the scanner needs to be checked that its calibration is correct. If something as small as a metal watch face sets off the alarm, then it's likely the calibration of that metal detector was turned up too high," he said.

Australian Airports Association (AAA) chief executive James Goodwin said: "Passengers should come prepared for screening at each airport as there may be some differences and we urge people to follow the signs and directions of staff."

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