IATA to introduce new passenger security check system at airports

IATA announced plans to introduce a new passenger security check system at airports aimed at finding "bad people, not bad objects", to replace the current system (Reuters, 14-Dec-2010). Under the new system, passengers would be directed down one of three security tunnels depending on their profiles. These profiles would be based on biometric and flight booking data. Global Security Director Ken Dunlap stated the system would not be based on racial or ethnic profiling. Director General Giovanni Bisignani stated the new system would eliminate nearly all screening requirements, as well as routine scanning and onboard luggage searches. IATA expects an introduction of an early version of the systems in two to three years, if governments cooperate.

IATA: "The current system of putting everyone through the same procedure - taking off shoes, pulling out laptops - is an incredible mess. It is causing longer and longer delays. With today's terror threats, we need to be able to find bad people, not bad objects. We can only do that by assessing passengers for risk with appropriate security checks to follow," Giovanni Bisignani, Director General. Source: Reuters, 14-Dec-2010.