Gatwick Airport embraces IoT and Machine Learning

Karima Kouidri

As the eighth busiest airport in Europe and the largest single-runway airport in the world, London Gatwick Airport is an essential fixture for international travellers

In an effort to keep up with the demands of the digital world, Gatwick has recently announced the modernization its IT infrastructure, in partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Aruba.

Even though typical IT upgrades in airports take four years, Gatwick’s network was upgraded in just 18 months, all while avoiding downtime and instability. Work was completed overnight with just a 2 hour window for upgrades and 2 hours to roll back to the legacy network. Data links were limited with Gatwick’s old IT infrastructure, but the net network contains a cleaner meshed design providing up to 10 times more data connections. As new technologies continue emerging for consumers, the airport’s management, and the airlines as well as businesses in the airport who rely on their infrastructure, Gatwick will provide a robust backbone.

We speak to their CIO, Cathal Corcoran and Hewlett Packard Enterprise UK&I MD, Marc Waters below.

Most busy international airports have several runways and ample real estate. Gatwick, on the other hand must operate with a single runway and limited space. Maximizing efficiency is key to ensuring the airport is able to serve the needs of the UK. IoT enabled heat sensors will track movement and how busy the airport is, allowing management to better utilize their resources and improve the passenger journey through the airport. Tracking data lets the airport handle logistical issues that can’t be solved through expansion, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience for customers and a better business foundation for airlines that operate in Gatwick.

World-Class WiFi

Smartphones, laptops, and entertainment devices have made the time-consuming process of air travel more tolerable and more productive, but serving such a large number of travellers in small spaces is a major challenge. Those in Gatwick can expect typical speeds of 30mbps, providing plenty of bandwidth for working online or streaming video while waiting. Fast and stable WiFi also provides smoother operations for airlines and other companies, enabling them to focus on offering excellent and affordable service without having to worry about outages or sluggish speeds.

Experts are good at finding great ways to utilize limited resources, which is particularly important at Gatwick. When aided by IT however, they can do even more. Machine-learning can detect busy areas in the airport through smartphones and tracking these results over the long term can provide key insights into optimizing day-to-day operations. When making decisions, Gatwick’s management will be aided with powerful data that can provide insights not attainable with more traditional technologies, and new the IT infrastructure will be a key to this analysis. Facial recognition technology will boost security as well as track late passengers, and personalized services based on smartphones or wearable technology can provide valuable updates to travellers on a personal level.

Gatwick Airport embraces IoT and Machine Learning TechNative
©Paul Prescott

Dealing with lost baggage can be a time-consuming and often stressful process. Armed with its new IT infrastructure, Gatwick and its airline operators are poised to offer a better alternative. Being able to track luggage and its owners creates new opportunities for simplifying the check-in and baggage claim process, helping get travellers in and out the the airport in a prompt and seamless manner.

Around 45 million people travel through Gatwick each year, and the airport’s unique constraints make operation an ongoing challenge. However, new technology offers tremendous promise that will serve Gatwick well for passengers today, and robust infrastructure provides a solid foundation for testing and implementing new technology for years to come.

source : technative.io

 

Airport Solutions at Dubai Airport Show 2018

Karima Kouidri

Rockwell Collins Airport Solutions at Dubai Airport Show

In just a few days’ time, the world’s largest annual airport exhibition will be underway in the heart of Dubai’s business district at the prestigious International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 18th Airport Show will welcome more than 7,000 aviation decision-making professionals to see the very latest in airports innovation – and Rockwell Collins will be there.
The world’s largest annual airport exhibition
This year, more than 300 leading global airport solutions providers will showcase a wide range of innovations at the three-day event, designed to support airports of all sizes, in every area of operational management, such as:
• Passenger processing
• Baggage systems and handling
• Airport airside equipment
• Airport security solutions
• Passenger facilitation
• And much more.
With the show’s Online Matchmaking Programme, it is easier this year to connect with the exhibitors you need to see, and an exclusive free seminar offers a chance to hear about the latest global innovations and technologies to help airport operators transform passenger experience and increase productivity.
The Airport Show provides attendees with the opportunity to network with industry professionals and service providers, and delivers up-to-date information, giving operators the tools and knowledge they need to take passenger experience to a new level.
Access to Airport Security
As the airports industry prepares for enhanced security measures, the introduction of biometrics in the passenger processing system is increasing in adoption and use around the world.
This year, an exclusive showcase – Access to Airport Security – will provide a platform to feature the latest technology and solutions in biometrics and border control.
Visit Rockwell Collins at the Airport Show 2018
Rockwell Collins will be at the Airport Show this year, showcasing our latest developments in airports technology, including:
• PCI-compliant common use self-bag drop solutions
• Cloud technology
• Systems integration
• Biometric identity management solutions
• And more.
Rockwell Collins’ ARINC Airports Solutions are scalable and flexible enough to meet the rises in passenger numbers and increasing mandatory security requirements that place ever-growing pressure on airports and the operational environment. With the experience and innovation to keep passengers moving, increase passenger experience and improve security on a global scale, Rockwell Collins is uniquely placed to assist airports of all sizes. Come and see us on stand 4210 to find out more about our airport technology and IT solutions.

Visit : http://airportknowledge.com

talking-airports for more on this story or to find out more about Rockwell Collins airport solutions.

Southend Airport tests drone detection system

Karima Kouidri

Southend Airport has trialled an anti-drone system –

though its air traffic control boss cheerfully admitted the airport doesn’t have any “outstanding issues with ‘rogue’ drone operations”. Metis Aerospace’s Skyperion product, which was the one tested at Southend this week, is billed as working through a combination of radio frequency and optical sensors to detect nearby hobbyist-class unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Southend tested the system at its makers’ request.

Damon Knight, head of the Es airport’s air traffic control services, said in a statement: “We do not have any outstanding issues with ‘rogue’ drone operations at London Southend, but we have had some sightings near the airport which fortunately have not affected our operations. However, we recognise that there is a wider problem for the aviation industry and so as an airport we have been very involved in understanding how we can deal with the issue.” The week-long trial, which has just ended, involved test drones being flown within a 4km radius of the airport for the two sensors to pick up and classify, and was said to have been a success. Precisely what metrics were tested were not specified, however. Skyperion’s mode of operation will draw comparisons with DJI’s Aeroscope drone-detection product.

The claimed ranges of the two products are very similar, with both of them seemingly relying on line-of-sight detection gear, judging by their published detection ranges; 5km for Aeroscope and 4km for the Metis product. Some straightforward arithmetic will tell the informed reader that the detection range should theoretically increase the higher the antennas are mounted, though like all good electromagnetic gear, your mileage may vary. Metis’ website has more details on the Skyperion product, including some brief info on how it classifies potential drones after detecting them. It appears to be heavily biased towards picking up transmissions on known drone command-and-control frequencies with operators verifying the presence of a drone using a zoomable camera.

Line-of-sight drone detection antennas mounted inside an airport’s boundaries are not long-ranged enough to fully surveil typical final approach paths, which normally stretch to around 10 miles or so. The Register has yet to see concrete details of any drone detection system that explicitly includes fixed, remote antennas as a deployment option.

This is not, however, to say that such systems have no place; a careless drone operator otherwise obeying the letter of the law shouldn’t be flying above 400ft, which, to come into direct conflict with a landing aeroplane, would mean the drone being flown within a couple of miles of the airport’s runway threshold. Typical threats posed by drones near airports are caused by idiotic thrill-seekers who like watching airliners whizz past within a few feet, using drones’ onboard first-person view livestreamed video capability. Statistics from the UK Airprox Board, which records.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport commercial revenues surge on completion of T2 upgrade

Karima Kouidri

FRANCE. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has completed the commercial transformation of Terminal 2

with the opening of the final food & beverage concepts, rounding out an ambitious upgrade of both terminals over the past three years. The investment by the airport and its partners should help double non-aeronautical revenues over the next four years (from around €200 million a year today), according to Chief Commercial Officer Filip Soete.

He said: “Each year we have been growing by +20-25% and we’ll double commercial revenues in a four-year period. Already in the first three months of 2018, spend per passenger has climbed by +22% and penetration has risen by +30%. This is much to do with the new walk-through stores, as everyone has to pass through these and many more are buying, especially French travellers.”

Terminal 2 transformed: The building now houses bright, open spaces, with a much improved dining offer complementing the varied retail mix

Soete was speaking at a media lunch hosted by Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (France’s second largest) in Singapore on Wednesday. As reported, Nice Airport completed its major refurbishment and expansion of T1 in 2016, with most of T2 following in 2017. The goal, Soete reaffirmed, was to create “the most surprising commercial experience at a European airport”. Key themes were a strong emphasis on Sense of Place, differentiating the offer across both retail and dining, and adding surprise and theatre to the environment. The commercial design was planned by UK-based The Design Solution.

Jamie’s Italian: A big hit with travelling diners at Nice Airport

As reported, commercial space overall was increased by +162% to 3,706sq m in T2. Within this, duty free (managed through Aelia Duty Free) grew its space by +79% to 1,100sq m. Other retail space increased by +198% to 1,325sq m while F&B space rose by +260% to 1,281sq m. Space for lounges is now +144% larger at 1,415sq m.

The main walk-through store in T2 has been open since February 2017, and 90% of the retail space completed last May. In the next phase mezzanine F&B (airside) opened on 1 June and the remaining retail and landside F&B in December. The full F&B offer was finalised in April with the signature opening of Estivale by celebrated chef Mauro Colagreco, who has two Michelin stars. “This is a great restaurant in superb space with excellent sea views,” said Soete.

L’Estivale: A showcase for the talents of Mauro Colagreco, who has his signature Michelin star restaurant nearby

Popular UK chef Jamie Oliver has also established a firm presence, in partnership with SSP. Jamie Italian opened in July 2017 and is marked out by its “superb quality” according to Soete. A separate Jamie’s Deli opened in the same month and a further Jamie’s Deli opened in landside departures this April.

La Plage Bar: Complements the FAB Award-winning restaurant of the same name

Other recent F&B units to open include Bar La Plage in January and Saleya in March. In the past year the T2 offer has been diversified by the openings of La Tarte Tropezienne, Bread & Co, Starbucks, Eric Kayser and Petrossian (all June 2017), as well as by Joe & The Juice (October, (its second outlet at the airport, first airside) and Chez Jean (December).

Beyond core category duty free, the T2 retail range has been much expanded too over the past year. Major openings include SoNice (destination goods), Fragonard (trendy local products), Hour Passion (jewellery & watches), Saveurs de Provence (regional fine food) and Hermès (partnering with Dufry).

SoNice and Saveurs de Provence: Two recent destination merchandise store openings that reflect the best in regional artisanship and products

Nice Airport has also added a series of pop-up stores in the past two months under one-year tenancies to allow the brand to offset the costs of installation and to gain exposure.

These include Daniel Wellington (T1), the brand’s first store in southern Europe; Misaki (T2); two experimental F&B units, Monsieur Albert hotdogs (T2) and couscous specialist Koksi (T2), plus cosmetics brand Gold in the Business Terminal.

Nice Airport has allocated its pop-up brand partners one-year leases

Soete noted: “F&B has been over-performing and the walk-through duty free stores have done well as we expected. Fashion and gastronomy have room to grow. It’s not just about the commercial offer, it’s about the experience. Our ACI Airport Service Quality score was around 7.0, now it’s 8.0, which is close to best in class. It shows the impact of the investment, as do the figures for spend and penetration.”

Chinese are the number one nationality by average spend at €130-140 per head. The airport is now hoping to build on this by adding a direct China flight.

Upscale look: Hermès partnered with Dufry for its T2 store, which opened in October 2017

Passenger traffic climbed by +7.1% year-on-year in 2017 to 13 million and has risen by double digits so far in 2018, aided by Emirates’ introduction of its Airbus A380 to Dubai and Qatar Airways’ new Dreamliner service. “We are targeting average passenger growth of +3.7% a year for the coming years, but are well ahead of that currently.”

Lush surroundings: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport Chief Commercial Officer Filip Soete (centre right) hosts guests at Singapore’s Botanic Gardens; among them were (l-r) Chris Madden (Frontier), Robbie Gill (The Design Solution), Andrew Pentol (TRBusiness), Dermot Davitt (The Moodie Davitt Report), Catherine Bonelli (Paul & Shark) and Kapila Ireland (DFNI)

source: Moodie davitt

 

Data Collaboration: What does the future hold for the aviation industry?

Karima Kouidri

Alan Newbold, director and digital transport leader at Arup, discusses the benefits of data sharing across the aviation industry

The aviation industry is waking up to the potential of digital technology. It’s now top of CEOs’ agendas across the globe, with airports increasingly having to compete to provide seamless passenger experiences and grow non-aeronautical revenue streams.

A better understanding and the collaborative sharing of data is essential for passengers, airlines, control authorities, retailers and airports – but utilizing this data won’t come without its challenges for the industry.

Benefits to passengers
Airports need to make sure they are using the right types of technology. There can be over five generations traveling through an airport at any given time and tailoring products so that all have a great experience is quite a challenge. Having information on passenger preferences – around dining and shopping, for example – can uncover potential services and entertainment offerings that grow non-aeronautical revenue.

Benefits to airports
Some processes within the aviation industry are further along than others when it comes to using data. For example, the benefits of implementing more intelligent systems for baggage handling, or adoption of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, is obvious.

Digital has implications for everyone and everything – including how we plan and design the physical airport facilities, and how they operate day-to-day.

As consultants, we currently undertake operational planning through simulation, using the data from spreadsheets and information we receive. Moving forward, real-time input from the airport could enable us to develop and propose scenarios in a faster, more accurate way, using better data, analytics and visualizations.

We should be able to use the data from the planning stages in both the design and operational stages – currently these three areas of expertise are largely siloed. If we were able to bring them together, the operator would have access to high-quality information in a real-time environment on a platform connected to their asset management database, and can operate the airport more efficiently.

The gains from more efficient planning mean airports get more bang for their buck and can deliver capital and investment in the right way (rather than lower value projects), increase aeronautical revenue, and improve the passenger experience.

Why collaboration is key
For government agencies, airports and airlines, collaboration is now key to realizing the benefits of data. The airport only owns between 5% and 20% of the data the aviation process generates – which isn’t much at all.

This is because of the use of outsourced contractors, such as baggage handling operators, who generate (and use) the data themselves, with airports often actually having no way of accessing it.

All parties need to realize the value of becoming digital collaborators, bringing stakeholders and partners together to generate more value than if they kept it to themselves. This could be to improve the passenger experience, increase operational efficiencies and revenue, or to strengthen security. Arup is currently working through the challenge of connecting data that the airport generates with the data that contractors and airlines collect to prove this point.

Our work with Saudi Aviation IT on its national digital aviation strategy is a great example of putting in place mechanisms for collaboration from the outset across the country’s 27 airports. The advantage here is that you have the government, regulator, airport owner and airlines all working with one voice.

We applied what we know about the digital airport, creating an entire business strategy, identifying how to generate revenue, how to improve the use of data, how to gain the skilled people needed and how to diversify the business.

But, it’s not without its challenges
One of the big challenges is getting clients to understand the leaps they need to make at a time when they’re still unfamiliar with some of the new digital technologies. We’ve seen big changes in our traditional approach to consulting – where clients come to us with a pre-existing need.

Instead, we’re analyzing an airport’s data to diagnose issues and then find solutions to improve operations. This new approach is proving successful and airports are generally very receptive, but the next challenge is how you connect this data to better outcomes.

This is an exciting and transformative time for the aviation industry. What is becoming more and more evident, is that consultants and advisors will have a big role to play in shaping these collaborations, showing how they can be effective and mutually beneficial.

source : Passenger Terminal Today

 

Airport Kiosk Market – the Emergence of Innovative Mobile Technologies and Passengers

Karima Kouidri

Airport Kiosk Market

(Type – Check-in Kiosk, Automated Passport Control Kiosks, Baggage Check-in, Information Kiosks, Ticketing Kiosks, Internet Kiosks, and Others) – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 – 2026

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Albany, NY — (SBWIRE) — 05/10/2018 — Airlines have been increasingly focusing on adoption of self-service solutions, in a bid to offer convenience to passengers, thereby making airport kiosks to gain a paramount importance over the years. Growing airport kiosk installations has helped passengers in avoiding standing in long queues as well as delays at airports. The airport kiosks have enabled airport authorities to scrupulously manage increasing airline passenger traffic, mainly because they are equipped with in-built features, which enable effective expedition and control over check-in, passenger clearance, and the baggage clearance.

Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/airport-kiosks-market.html

The proliferating IT spending across airports has further underpinned adoption of airport kiosks. The advent of privatization has promoted several companies in revamping airport facilities with the modern infrastructure. Additionally, airlines are making enormous investments in personalizing passengers’ journey, consequently augmenting demand for highly advanced airport kiosks. With the emergence of innovative mobile technologies, passengers have been provided with services that are similar to those offered by airport kiosks. Smartphones and tablets-compatible mobile technologies deliver tasks performed by airport kiosks at reduced cost, which in turn is expected to prevail as a factor curbing airport kiosk adoption to a certain extent.

Transparency Market Research has projected the global airport kiosk market to register a splendid 11.5% CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2026), in terms of volume. Revenues from worldwide sales of airport kiosks will reach approximately US$ 3,500 Mn by 2026-end.

Get Sample Copy of this report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=7550

Europe will Remain Leading Revenue Contributor to Global Airport Kiosk Market

Robust investment by airlines in advancing facilities is expected to bolster demand for airport kiosks in Europe. The market in Europe will further gain an impetus from increasing spending on airport construction throughout the region. Europe will therefore remain the leading revenue contributor to the global airport kiosk market. North America will retain its position of being the second largest market for airport kiosk during the forecast period. According to TMR’s report, sales of airport kiosks in North America will register a CAGR of 11.4% in terms of volume through 2026.

Based on type, baggage check-in kiosks will continue to lead the global airport kiosk market, in terms of value. However, revenues from automated passport control kiosks are slated to reflect a relatively faster expansion, to become the second most sought-after type of airport kiosk across the globe by 2026-end.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/airport-kiosk-market-the-emergence-of-innovative-mobile-technologies-and-passengers-975337.htm

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3769912#ixzz5FC3HlOyf

The digital transformation of airports

Karima Kouidri

A working session at the upcoming ACI Europe/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Brussels in June, will focus on digital transformation and the airport brand proposition – where should the airport experience begin and end?

Today’s airports are no longer just a place where airplanes take off and land; instead airports are vital economic generators providing a gateway to their city, state, region, country.

Airports are as important for tourism as they are for business; the transport of people and goods not only between aircraft but with all other modes of transportation.

In an increasingly competitive environment, airports are focused on expanding and enhancing their appeal to increase their share of air travel and tourism, including innovation and a strong focus on enhancing the customer experience.

While safety and security always remain the top priority, airport leaders are also focused on ways to streamline the business and operations, including leveraging technology to meet and exceed goals and objectives. After all, in today’s digital world, there is no escaping the power of data so harnessing its benefits is key.

The Airport Digital Transformation: Best Practice, launched at the end of last year, has been well received by members and the industry alike. It intended as a decision and implementation aid for airport managers who are responsible for evolving their companies in a digital world.

This document helps airport corporate executives (CEOs, CIOs, CXOs) pick a starting point and develop a digital culture across the enterprise which will enable it to gain as many benefits as possible and as quickly as possible while the airport is developing a longer-term evolution strategy.

It provides a roadmap of becoming an airport digital.

To further help our Member airports on their path of digital transformation, ACI has developed the Digital Airport Survey. This survey will help airports assess their maturity in adopting digital transformation technology tools. Once completed, members can share results with ACI to receive specialized guidance on how to enhance this important evolution.

Download the report: http://www.aci.aero/Publications/Full-Publications-Listing/Airport-Digital-Transformation-Best-Practice

• According to recent estimates by the cross-industry Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the total economic impact (direct, indirect, induced and tourism connected) of the global aviation industry reached $2.7 trillion, some 3.5% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014. The air transport industry also supported a total of 62.7 million jobs – Aviation Benefits Report 2017

Quotes

– “Airports are natural interfaces between the analog and digital worlds,” said Dr Michael Kerkloh, CEO, Munich Airport and current president of ACI Europe.

“If airports succeed in the efficient digital marketing of their analog products and services, they will continue in the future to have a ‘home field advantage’ in the passenger business over other providers.

The Airport Digital Transformation Best Practice helps us to establish a shared vision and best practices in our industry.”

– “At Schiphol, we have always been an airport that dreams big,” said Jos Nijhuis, CEO of the Royal Schiphol Group.

“We want to be the world’s leading digital airport. With smart airport operational processes, secure Application Programming Interface (API) data sharing and flawless efficiency.

“By effectively utilizing digital contact moments, we will connect with and stay connected to travellers and be able to provide them even better service.

“The Airport Digital Transformation Best Practice is therefore very important to us.”

– “This document is a great reference product and should be in every executive’s reference library,” said Maurice Jenkins, director, information systems and telecommunications, Miami Dade County Aviation Department.

“It is key to transforming our system of airports and meeting the demands of the industry.”

– “This handbook is an excellent reference for any airport working towards digitalisation,” said Aymeric Dussart, director of technology and innovation, Aéroports de Montreal.

“We are delighted to have contributed insights, having learnt from various customer experience initiatives that we have invested in at Montréal-Trudeau.”

source : Airport World

Smart gates to replace passport officials at Dubai Airports by 2030

Karima Kouidri

By 2030, smart gates at Dubai airports will replace passport officials’ platforms, according to Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

In his welcome address at the Airport Security Middle East conference, Al Marri said, “We have created smart gates projects in an exclusive and modern way, and these now amount to about 122 smart gates. We have created a number of smart projects in Dubai international airports, the latest of which is “Next-Generation Departure” project, which will enable passengers to complete their travel procedures in the least time possible.”

Col. Hamooda Belsuwaida Alameri, Assistant Director-General Operations at General Department of Airport Security, Dubai Police in his keynote speech said, “Dubai Police has plans to coordinate their human resources and capabilities to ensure security at airports. The airport security challenges are landside security, cybersecurity and security checkpoints. Airports, the police and the security agencies need to collaborate and exchange information as well as do risk assessments to ensure security on all fronts.”

Technologies have been put into strategies and plans to have security checkpoints of the future to make Dubai airports safe and secure for all our clients, he added.

Al Marri added that the Directorate is looking to have the UAE ranked amongst the best countries in the world in terms of safety and security by ensuring the implementation of nationality and residency related laws, to bring security and economic benefit to the country and contribute to the protection of its ports.

“We are constantly evolving with the advent of modern technology and artificial intelligence tools. This may be one of the factors facing some sectors, requiring the deployment of innovative and intelligent solutions by government entities and contribution to promoting Dubai’s global leadership.

“Dubai has set up its airports with a view of having them act as smart stations in their capacity as one of the most vital ports for the UAE, on the one hand, and the gateway to all people of the world, on the other.”

source : https://tinyurl.com/y7szzwq2

 

Explosive-detecting dogs introduced in British airports to screen cargo

Karima Kouidri

The dogs have undertaken a rigorous new training programme set out by the UK Government to prepare them for cargo screening.

SNIFFING IT OUT: Dogs are already used by airports to sniff out contraband

The UK Government has announced dogs capable of detecting minute traces of explosives concealed in air fr

The dogs have undertaken a rigorous new training programme set out by the UK Government to prepare them for cargo screening.

SNIFFING IT OUT: Dogs are already used by airports to sniff out contraband

The UK Government has announced dogs capable of detecting minute traces of explosives concealed in air freight are being deployed in cargo sheds.

Free-running explosive-detecting dogs (FREDDs) working with their human handlers are being used to check freight for a range of explosive materials.

Each animal has undergone 12 months of rigorous training to achieve Government certification before being set to work. As they carry out their operational duties they will go through a regular quality assurance programme.

In 2016, goods worth £178 billion were transported by air between the UK and non-EU countries. These detection dogs have the potential to play a vital role in helping to ensure such cargo is safe to fly.

Baroness Sugg, Aviation Minister, said: “Free-running explosive-detecting dogs are the latest addition to the Government’s multi-layered approach to tackling potential aviation security threats.

“The ability of these highly-skilled dogs to detect small amounts of vapour from explosives hidden in cargo will bolster our existing rigorous security methods, and I was really impressed to see them in action.

“The UK’s aviation security standards are already among the best in the world and we will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to ensure that passengers remain protected.”

Dogs are already used in a variety of ways at UK airports, for example, by helping police to identify criminals and prevent illegal activity.

In April, the Government published its aviation strategy next steps document, setting out its plans for the future of the industry. This involved a commitment to ensure that the UK is equipped to respond to changing threats.

While all cargo is made secure before it is allowed on to aircraft, the dogs offer the ability to detect minute traces of vapour from concealed explosives. This provides a high level of scrutiny as well as a highly mobile and time-saving way of screening freight, 2.4 million tonnes of which passed through the UK’s airports in 2016.

The dogs are already operating in multiple airports, and more will be deployed around the country as the number of approved canines’ increases.

Both the certification and quality assurance process that the dogs will need to go through is set by the Department for Transport (DfT) which will share oversight with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA will have a further responsibility ensuring those who operate the dogs do so in line with the standards set out by the DfT.

source : international airport review