Emerging Technologies Helping Airports Tackle Increasing Security Threats
Airport security market to surpass US$16 billion mark
New technology plays a vital role to ensure security at airports at a time when new vulnerabilities are emerging with the merger of cyber and physical threats.
Security and safety technologies play a vital role in managing fast clearance checks for passengers. There is huge competition among airports in providing fast immigration and security checks. Officials say that balance is needed to ensure safety standards but at the same time managing fast flow of passengers. This is where technology plays a big role.
The Airport Security Market is projected to hit US$16 billion by 2024, according to Global Market Insights, Inc. The threat of criminal attacks and terrorism continues to be the key market driver. The rising penetration of smart technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) in airports is fuelling the demand for airport security market.
These include technologies such as remote check-ins, sensor equipment, e-gates and RFID baggage reconciliation systems. In an annual survey, co-sponsored by SITA and Airports Council International (ACI), more than half of the world’s airports have listed security as top priority for IT investments for passenger and airport security.
Airports in the Arabian Gulf are expected to handle 450 million passengers a year by 2020, a number which is expected to grow by 5.2 per cent a year until 2030, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This translates into an estimated 2.6 million aircraft movements through the region, equivalent to over 7,000 flights each day.
Dubai Airports is constantly adopting the latest technologies for minimum time for passenger movements with maximum security in accordance with the best practices at international airports for enhancing passenger experience without compromising on security.
Major General Pilot Ahmed Bin Thani, Assistant General Commander for Ports Affairs at Dubai Police commented: “Airport security technology is a key part of airport management and operation. Dubai airports place it at the top of their priorities to provide a safe and smooth travel experience for more than seven million passengers who use it every month.”
He said: “While airports and airlines were looking for new ways to simplify the travel experience and enhance passenger reception and baggage handling, smart technologies and solutions such as biometrics and automated checkpoints have already begun to redefine the airport experience around the world. Dubai Airport has no limits to invest in deploying the best technology to enhance and ensure safe and comfortable travel experience for its passengers. Dubai is moving towards more innovation in smart solutions to keep pace with rising numbers of airport passengers.”
Philip Verner, Sales Director, EMEA, Johnson Controls, said: “The Middle East is an excellent platform for deploying new and innovative security products. Airports are looking for best in class security products. CEM Systems continues to work very closely with airports globally to understand their needs as they have higher security requirements than most other facilities. Airports require large scale, fully-integrated security management systems.”
Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of The Airport Show said: “The ability of airports to bounce back relatively quickly can be attributed to the design and implementation of security protocols and use of technology. Middle Eastern airports face a widening range of threats on a daily basis, thereby needing ever more sophisticated and adaptable security solutions.”
Airport Security issues and technology will be a key focus in Dubai at Airport Show next year. Airport Security Middle East is returning for its second edition alongside Airport Show. The co-located event allows vendors to present innovative solutions of how best to secure airports from various threats effectively without impacting their operations.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the three-day show will be held from 29 April – 1 May 2019.
7,500 visitors are expected to attend the B2B show. The show will take place over an exhibition space of over 15,000 square meters across three Zabeel halls of the iconic Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Among the many world leading airport security companies participating at the event are Smiths Detection, CEIA, L3, Nuctech, Astrophysics, TyTec Medical and CEM.
