Frankfurt Airport has made a significant advancement in air travel security with the approval of the QPS Walk2000 360° walkthrough security scanner by the German Federal Police. This AI-supported system, which has been in a testing phase for nearly a year, will now be used regularly to streamline passenger screening. The QPS Walk2000 offers an enhanced level of convenience for travelers, allowing them to walk through the scanner at a normal pace rather than freezing in place for a scan.

The approval marks a milestone in air security, with Frankfurt becoming the world’s first airport to employ such scanners for routine passenger checks. Around 18,000 passengers pass through the security checkpoint at Concourse A of Terminal 1 daily, and the airport plans to expand the use of this technology to more lanes within Terminal 1 and in the new Terminal 3.

Alexander Laukenmann, Head of Fraport AG’s aviation division, expressed excitement about the achievement: “We are proud to set a new global standard for passenger security with the introduction of the 360° walkthrough scanner. Our collaboration with the German Federal Police throughout the testing phase has been key to optimizing its functionality and securing certification. This innovation is a part of our continuous efforts to enhance the passenger experience by utilizing the latest technology to make security checks faster and more user-friendly, all while maintaining the highest security standards.”

Andreas Hägele, Head of the Microwave Imaging Department at Rohde & Schwarz, commended the partnership, stating, “The successful joint testing and evaluation with the Federal Police and Fraport at Frankfurt Airport is a prime example of excellent collaboration. We are proud to contribute to this cutting-edge, globally innovative approach to passenger screening.”

The QPS Walk2000 uses advanced millimeter-wave technology, which penetrates clothing while an avatar identifies potentially dangerous objects in real time. If an alarm is triggered, security personnel can focus directly on the area of concern, minimizing the need for a complete rescan of the passenger.

Fraport has invested approximately 22 million euros in enhancing security technologies at Frankfurt Airport, including the integration of advanced CT systems and improved lane designs. Since taking over responsibility for aviation security checks in Frankfurt on January 1, 2023, Fraport has worked closely with the German Federal Police to optimize and certify new security equipment, ensuring that it meets the highest safety standards.

For more details on the responsibilities and tasks involved in managing security checks at Frankfurt Airport, please visit the official website.