Facing doubling passenger traffic and complex threats, airports must structurally transform hold baggage screening (HBS). This article details the strategic shift to ECAC Std 3.2, networked systems, and AI to build a resilient, adaptable security ecosystem prepared for the next decade of growth and evolution.
The evolving horizon of airport security
Airport security is navigating a period of profound change, raising challenges that airports must address over the next few years. IATA projects that global passenger traffic will double by 2040, but this growth coincides with an increasingly complex threat landscape and persistent operational constraints. For airport leaders, this convergence creates a strategic imperative to build security ecosystems that are not only compliant, but also resilient, efficient, and adaptable.
The nature of threats continues to evolve. Beyond conventional explosives, security professionals must now contend with sophisticated homemade explosives (HMEs), non-traditional weapons, and advanced concealment methods. As Richard Thompson, Vice-President, Portfolio, Innovation and Digital at Smiths Detection, warns: “Criminal organisations study detection methods and build countermeasures. As a result, baggage threats have shifted from standardised explosives to improvised materials, sophisticated concealment and non-traditional weapons that exploit system limits.”
This dynamic environment makes clear why new approaches are required: emerging threats are the driver for structural transformation in hold baggage screening.
A paradigm shift in hold baggage screening
For passengers, checkpoint security is the most visible aspect of keeping them safe, but hold baggage screening (HBS) presents a unique and critical set of challenges. The high-volume, automated nature of HBS means that throughput pressures are immense. Any downtime, whether from bag jams or system failures, can create significant operational disruption and financial costs. Furthermore, the consequences of a detection failure in hold baggage are severe, making reliability and accuracy paramount.
Regulatory frameworks are evolving as a direct response to these threats. The transition from ECAC Std. 3.1 to Std. 3.2, for instance, reflects the need for technology that can more accurately identify a wider range of explosive threats
Independent analysis underscores this shift: “The European Civil Aviation Conference’s (ECAC) Standard 3 .2 threat detection test is the highest standard set by ECAC for the detection of explosive threats in passenger hold baggage,” observes Christoph Oftring of the BEUMER Group.
Susanne Kruppa, Senior Product Manager for Hold Baggage Screening at Smiths Detection, underlines this point: “With these new standards, explosive threats become more diverse and harder to detect, especially with the rise of HMEs in liquid and powder form. Detection technology must evolve beyond traditional density-based screening.”
In practice, these threats and regulations are accelerating several structural trends. Some are direct responses to the evolving threat landscape and regulatory demands:
- Convergence to networked ecosystems: Moving from standalone screening points to fully integrated, intelligent networks that provide a holistic view of security operations.
- AI integration: Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate threat recognition, reduce operator cognitive load through alarm-only viewing, and enable predictive maintenance.
Open architecture: Designing systems that allow hardware, software, and algorithms from different suppliers to integrate seamlessly, reducing vendor lock-in and enabling greater agility. Others complete the picture by addressing the wider operational and strategic context of airports:
- Digital resilience: Ensuring the cybersecurity of screening systems themselves, which are now critical IT infrastructure, to maintain operational continuity.
- Sustainability and lifecycle management: Incorporating energy efficiency, responsible material use, and end-of-life planning into technology design to meet ESG objectives.
The SDX 10080 SCT: a platform built for the future
So how can airports meet these challenges and turn structural trends into operational advantages? The answer lies in adopting technology designed as a direct response to both emerging threats and evolving regulations.
The SDX 10080 SCT establishes a new benchmark in hold baggage screening (HBS), setting the standard for modularity, throughput, seamless integration, energy efficiency, along with low maintenance requirements. Designed to help airports optimise physical footprint and streamline operations, the system delivers tangible benefits: higher screening capacity, ease of deployment within existing baggage handling systems, and a significant reduction in total cost of ownership across its lifecycle.
Importantly, the SCT also supports airports’ sustainability goals with energy-efficient cooling, fewer components, and a design that reduces lifecycle costs and environmental impact.
But central to the SDX 10080 SCT’s is its role as a future-ready platform. Its modular architecture accommodates both current and evolving airport requirements, enabling operators to respond rapidly to regulatory changes and operational shifts.
Looking to the future, the SDX 10080 SCT is designed to be a foundation for further advancements in detection technology – for example, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) which is integral to the platform’s technological roadmap. As detection requirements evolve and XRD matures, the system’s modular design will enable integration of this technology, ensuring airports are equipped to meet emerging threats and new regulatory expectations without the need for wholesale replacement.
However, adopting new technology involves more than hardware. Implementation requires careful planning to manage costs, integrate with complex baggage handling systems (BHS), and train staff effectively.
As Thompson notes, true progress comes from collaboration. “Solving for the airport’s long game, not the next procurement cycle… turning a one-off equipment purchase into a performance partnership focused on measurable outcomes year after year.” The business case for investment must always be met.
The business case for strategic investment
In an environment of capital constraints, any new technology investment must deliver a clear return. As Dave Clark and Suketu Gandhi write in the Harvard Business Review, “with so much money now at stake, companies must ensure they minimise the inherent risk in capital projects to deliver them on time, within budget, and in a way that meets their objectives”. The business case for next-generation HBS extends beyond compliance to encompass operational efficiency and long-term strategic advantage.
One of the most pressing issues for airports is managing operational pain points. Kruppa identifies several common challenges: “Our airport partners frequently report several recurring operational pain points: bag jams, manual handling, system interruptions due to calibration, and downtime caused by single-point failures.” Advanced screening systems are engineered to address these issues, enhancing both throughput and reliability.
A forward-looking vision for airport security
Integration, intelligence, and partnership will define the future of airport security. Here, the SDX 10080 SCT is one cornerstone within a broader ecosystem – enabling airports to move towards interconnected networks. As noted in a recent industry analysis. The industry is moving away from isolated technologies and toward interconnected ecosystems that provide comprehensive, data-driven insights. As Thompson concludes: “The next wave of innovation won’t be about single technologies in isolation but about convergence. For leaders, the challenge, and the opportunity, lies in moving from isolated checkpoints to fully integrated, intelligent networks.”
This vision requires a commitment to open standards, robust cybersecurity, and sustainable practices. Technology providers have a responsibility to not only innovate but also to support airports in navigating the complexities of implementation and integration.
The challenge is to balance today’s operational realities with tomorrow’s strategic needs. By embracing flexible, future-ready platforms and fostering deep partnerships, airports can build a security infrastructure that is prepared for the next decade of growth and evolution. The journey involves considered investment and strategic collaboration, paving the way for a safer, more efficient, and more resilient aviation future.
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