EU Scrutinizes New Airport Scanners, Citing Explosive Detection Failures
Brussels, Belgium – May 15, 2024 – New generation baggage scanners rolled out across European union airports are facing critical scrutiny after failing to meet required explosive detection standards. Concerns raised by EU authorities center on the algorithms used by the scanners, prompting potential delays in wider implementation and raising questions about aviation security protocols.
The issue impacts airports throughout the EU that have begun deploying the advanced Computed Tomography (CT) scanners,intended to provide clearer images of baggage contents and improve threat detection. These scanners, mandated by EU regulations to enhance security, are now under review as the current anti-explosive algorithms do not consistently meet performance criteria. The European Commission has indicated that the discrepancies were identified during recent compliance checks and could lead to revised certification requirements.
the current regulations,stemming from EU Regulation 2015/1998,require member states to implement advanced screening technologies. The goal is to improve the detection of explosives and prohibited items in carry-on baggage, ultimately enhancing passenger safety. The scanners were intended to reduce the need for manual bag searches and improve passenger flow. However, the algorithm failures threaten to undermine these objectives.
According to sources familiar with the assessment, the scanners’ algorithms are struggling to reliably identify certain explosive compounds within complex baggage configurations. While the hardware itself is deemed satisfactory,the software’s ability to accurately interpret the scanned images is the core problem. Airports are now awaiting guidance from the European Commission on potential software updates or alternative solutions. the last update to the facts was recorded on May 14, 2024, at 23:56:17 +02:00.
