Airport security tech soars globally

Courtesy Reed Exhibitions

Airports are investing billions of dollars in upgrading and expanding their safety and security systems to ensure an effective and hassle-free management of passengers flow and cargo movements as they continue their upward curve globally. 

Airport Security has been changing diametrically as the fast pace of technology brings innovative products and services with the wider use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biometrics and Internet of Things (IoT). A digital transformation is currently taking place across the airport ecosystem to ensure that security systems are evolving apace with the security environment.  Airports are looking at products and solutions that harness data, automation and connectivity to mitigate new security threats and better understand, anticipate and shape passenger behaviour. 

Insights into new airport security technologies will be in sharp focus at the Airport Security Conference being hosted as one of the three co-located events on the Day 3 of the 20th edition of the Airport Show in Dubai on 24th June. Being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, over 375 companies from 94 countries are expected to participate in the show. A key conference for the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), the world’s leading airport B2B industry platform at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will debate the widest range of security topics including Airport Cyber Security, Airport Security in Ground Operations and Safety and On-Time Performance and Profitability.

Major General Pilot Ahmed Bin Thani, Assistant General Commander for Ports Affairs at Dubai Police remarked: “Technology plays a key part to ensure an effective airport management and secure operations. Dubai continues to place top priority to a safe and smooth travel experiences for more than seven million passengers who use its two international airports every month. Airports and airlines always explore new ways to simplify the overall travel experience by adopting smart technologies and solutions like biometrics and automated checkpoints. Dubai continues to invest massively in deploying the best technology and smart solutions.”

Remarked Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of the Airport Show: “Airport Security now requires best-in-class technology for greater speed and accuracy of data analysis, faster threat detection and passenger and cargo screening. In today’s aviation industry, each and every airport requires to leverage the best technologies and improve security methodologies.”

The global airport security equipment market is expected to reach US$18.42 billion by 2025, according to a study. According to a SITA and Airports Council International (ACI) survey, security is a top priority for over half of the world’s airports - more than 225 airports which together manage 2.3 billion passengers. Security is also a top most priority for Gulf airports which are expected to handle 450 million passengers this year, according to the ICAO.