Avalon waits on hi-tech go-ahead

AVALON Airport’s international passengers could be able to leave liquids and laptops in their bags as they pass through security checks within weeks, CEO Justin Giddings says.

The airport boss expects the Department of Home Affairs to tick off on the move that will follow a practice implemented with new screening at Melbourne Airport yesterday.

Mr Giddings said Avalon was waiting on a notice from the Department of Home Affairs to allow it to use a computed tomography (CT) machine permanently while passengers kept items in their bags.

Currently, passengers boarding Air Asia flights to Malaysia are asked to remove liquids and laptops from their bags as they pass through the state-of-the-art CT screening.

Mr Giddings said the airport would monitor the effect any change would have on passenger queuing.

“We don’t want to be rejecting (multiple) bags, which slows down the line,” he said.

“At the moment, it is really quick to get through Avalon.”

Melbourne Airport’s T4 terminal yesterday began using CT technology that includes medical-grade X-rays for bags, and body scanners, rather than metal detectors for passengers.

“Computed tomography screening means everything stays in your bag, including laptops and liquids, resulting in a quicker process,” the airport’s head of security and emergency Scott Dullard said.

Smiths Detection director Jordan Thrupp said the old machines used 2D technology.

“If you think of the CT machine as a giant camera … that camera turns the bag around at high speed and takes 3D images that are able to be viewed by operators in any direction,” Mr Thrupp said.

All airports in Australia are expected to adopt similar technology within next two years.