Narita International Airport (NRT) in Japan will commence a trial operation of shoe screening equipment this month.
The new devices will be deployed and tested for automatically spotting banned items without the need for passengers to take off their shoes.
NRT stated that the trial results will be applied to make the airport more secure, reliable and comfortable.
The new equipment will enhance security screening, decrease personal contact, reduce the workload on security personnel and improve their working environment.
The airport has incorporated several counter infection measures while conducting security screening.
Last April, NRT expanded its international departure screening checkpoints in Terminals 1 and 2 and installed modern security screening lanes and screening equipment while introducing Smart Security to increase the processing capacity by 50%.
Smart Security is a new concept promoted by Airports Council International (ACI) in connection with security screening that ensures productivity and comfort.
The airport has deployed X-ray scanning equipment with advanced explosives detection features and body scanners for the Terminal 3 domestic flight screening lane and all international flight terminals.
Some of the X-ray equipment also features artificial intelligence (AI) technology for programmed threat detection.
In addition, the passenger reconciliation system (PRS) has been installed at security checkpoints for inspecting the authenticity of passenger boarding passes upon entry.
The baggage re-inspection tables have plastic shields, whereas the trays have been coated with an antiviral agent.
The checkpoints at the airport have also been marked for facilitating social distancing, and all personnel have been instructed to wear protective masks, shields and gloves to ensure the implementation of airport hygiene and safety regulations.
Furthermore, the airport stated that a device disinfecting trays with UV light will be used on a trial basis in March.
