Machine Tool to provide baggage scanners to Helsinki airport

Smiths Detection’s Finland-based partner Machine Tool has secured a contract from Finavia to provide eight HI-SCAN 10080 XCT baggage scanners to Helsinki airport.

The contract will see the supply of three HI-SCAN 100100V-2is systems for screening over-sized baggage along with 12 workstations and a Matrix Server with redundancy back-up.

Furthermore, a number of existing HI-SCAN 100100V-2is scanners at the airport will be replaced with the new systems.

Installation of the scanners is scheduled to begin by September and is expected to complete by December next year.

The HI-SCAN 10080 XCT scanners are designed to combine high-resolution X-ray technology, computed tomography (CT) and advanced detection algorithms to increase both security and operational efficiency.

Forming part of a development programme currently going on at the airport, the scanners will enable the airport to serve 30 million passengers annually and increase baggage handling capacity by 50%.

Smiths Detection Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) vice-president Tony Tielen said: “Any financial investment in upgrading security equipment has to be balanced against operational improvement, particularly when part of a major expansion.

“Airports need assurance that efficiencies will be gained and systems can be further updated as necessary to detect evolving explosive threats and handle ever higher volumes.”

The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) previously approved the HI-SCAN 10080 XCTas a Standard 3.1 explosives detection system, the highest defined standard in the European Union (EU).

Capable of offering fast belt speed and equipped with a large rectangular tunnel, the scanners can scan up to 1,800 bags per hour.

The systems are also designed to provide sharp, full colour, high-resolution images, as well as a low false alarm rate.