Airport Liquid Bottle Scanner for EU Airports

A British commercial research organisation is celebrating after receiving EU approval to supply its airport liquid scanning technology products to airports across Europe.

Kromek’s Bottle Scanner can differentiate between liquid explosives and water, and its introduction to European airports might put an end to present airport liquid restrictions.

The airport liquid restrictions have been in place since August 2006, after a plot to blow up airliners in flight was uncovered. In April this year, the EU said that European air travellers could expect the airport liquid limits to last for another three years.

By April 2011, though, airports with a high enough level of security in place will be able to allow passenger liquids through to aircraft.

Kromek Bottle Scanner

The Kromek Bottle Scanner trial results illustrate that the machines can start to be integrated into European airport networks in time to meet this April 2011 deadline.

"It's a significant milestone for Kromek as the approved listing is vindication that colour X-ray detection has been proven”, Arnab Basu – Kromek’s Chief Executive – stated, adding: "The next generation of X-ray technology has arrived, with a market ready machine that can detect liquid threats.”

The Kromek Bottle Scanner uses a multi-spectral X-ray beam to scan a range of bottles in sizes from 80 millilitres up to 2,000 millilitres.

Airport Liquid Scanner

Once a scan has been performed, the item being assessed is cross-referenced with the items in the airport liquid scanner’s database and a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ result is given. This database is not static, and can be updated as required.

In related news, the chairman of British Airways has urged for airport security to be revaluated, and his calls have won the support of a host of airlines.

“We all know there's quite a number of elements in the security programme which are completely redundant and they should be sorted out”, BA’s Martin Broughton told officials at the UK Airport Operators Association’s AGM, according to quotes published by the Financial Times. He also highlighted areas where US airport security requirements conflicted, for example where international and domestic flights were concerned.

Kromek Bottle Scanner image courtesy of Admiral PR and Marketing

See also -

News:

Airport Liquid Scanning Technology Showcased

Airport Liquid Restrictions Until 2013

Products and Services:

Companies Providing Liquid Explosive Screening