Airport operator Avinor has installed several new state-of-the-art security scanners at Oslo Airport in Norway as part of a trial to find the most suitable system for passengers. The operator will be testing four different security scanners to learn how they can enhance security while offering a screening method that is comfortable, unobtrusive and that helps to speed up the security process.
Bjørn Erik Larsen, project manager at Oslo Airport, said, “It’s important to us to gain experience to ensure that a potential future rollout of this technology doesn’t negatively impact how passengers experience the security check.
“The images taken of the passenger will not be saved and the security officer will only see a schematic figure of the passenger during scanning. The image is age and gender-neutral and resembles a gingerbread figure in appearance. Objects that are detected show up only as markings on the figure on the screen.
“Our goal is that passengers will view the security check as better organized and more efficient, while achieving a higher level of security at the same time. We also hope that travelers will be willing to test the new scanners. Then we can test the machines against a Norwegian environment that includes winter clothing and more hand baggage than the rest of Europe, and as close to a realistic situation as possible.”
Njål Ladstein, head of the Security Section at Avinor, said, “Avinor wants to facilitate better flow through security screening and believes that the use of security scanners will help achieve this goal. Eventually, we hope we can deploy this technology at several of the larger airports around Norway.”
The security scanners are EU-approved and use millimeter wave technology to identify objects. The manufacturers claim that the technology is harmless and has no adverse health effects. The scanners have been installed in the security check in the departures hall and more information about the trial is available at the airport.