Airport queues could be dramatically reduced by new scanning technology, the CEO of the worldwide security and technology business, Smith Group announced.

This new technology means that passengers will no longer have to take laptops out of bags to be security checked.
Philip Bowman was talking in Brussels at the European Security Forum and commented:

“Smiths Detection has now developed the kit that we believe can securely screen laptops without first removing them from passengers’ bags. Lifting the laptop restriction could make an early, practical improvement to the lives of the travelling public – perhaps halving the length of Europe’s airport queues. That’s why I believe we should be making faster progress on testing the technology to ensure it meets the right levels of security assurance and to allow it to be used.”

He went on to say that airport security policies in practice relating to laptop security and liquids did a great deal to restrict passenger’s freedom of movement. He continued to say it was understood by everyone that there were important reasons for taking this action highlighting the case of three men imprisoned earlier in September for their part in conspiring to blow up aircraft mid-Atlantic.

However he believed travellers should be allowed to question these restraints, “when, given the developments in screening technology we have seen in recent years, these restrictions will be lifted”.

This is great news for business travel and hopefully it won’t be long before this technology is used across airports.

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