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Airport Safety And Security News

End in sight for eye scanners at UK airports

End in sight for eye scanners at UK airports

17 February 2012 Airline News

The Iris Recognition Immigration System has received something of a setback, with confirmation from the government scanners had been switched off at half the airports using the scheme. Manchester and Birmingham airports have mothballed the equipment, leaving only London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports using the system.

Flights to Beijing hit by smog

Flights to Beijing hit by smog

5 December 2011 Airline News

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at Beijing Capital International Airport with smog making it unsafe for planes to operate. Conditions deteriorated across much of the north of the country with pollution also closing a number of motorways.

Vienna Airport set for self-boarding gates

Vienna Airport set for self-boarding gates

14 October 2011 Airline News

Passengers flying with any airline from Vienna International Airport are set to use the first common-use self-boarding gates go into operation anywhere in the world. The gates, provided by air transport IT specialist SITA, are being installed throughout Vienna’s terminals, including the new terminal Skylink, which will open mid-2012.

Improved security at Gatwick to aid speedy boarding

Improved security at Gatwick to aid speedy boarding

11 October 2011 Airline News

Gatwick Airport has confirmed the launch of its new South Terminal Security area. Opened by Theresa Villiers, minister of state for transport, the state-of-the-art facilities will see passengers benefiting from a fast, smart and efficient security experience.

Transportation Security Administration drops ‘naked’ scanner pictures

Transportation Security Administration drops ‘naked’ scanner pictures

21 July 2011 Airline News

Officials at the United States Transportation Security Administration have confirmed new software will remove the need for “naked” images of passengers to be created during security screening. A generic image will instead be used, removing one of the main complaints held by travellers against new Advanced Imaging Technology machines.

Schiphol seeks to speed up immigration checks

Schiphol seeks to speed up immigration checks

19 July 2011 Airline News

Accenture has been selected by the Dutch ministry of internal affairs to design and deliver Automated Border Control Systems at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The new systems will reduce the waiting time of travellers passing through one of the world’s busiest airports during peak immigration periods by more efficiently validating passenger identities and documentation.

Top consultant stokes body scanner cancer fears

Top consultant stokes body scanner cancer fears

2 July 2011 Airline News

A leading hospital consultant has refused to go through an X-ray scanner at Manchester Airport, claiming it could give him cancer. The eye specialist, who was flying to Switzerland on business, said: “X-rays are known to cause cancer and I think somebody will get cancer from this body scanner whether it’s me or someone else.”