Kaunas Airport Takes the Lead Among Baltic Airports with the Debut of Next-Gen Aviation Security Scanners
In late October, Kaunas Airport began installing next-gen aviation security scanners and baggage handling lines. By November, all three CT scanners in the departures zone will be in place, with testing planned during December. Starting January 2024, departing passengers will enjoy the benefits of this cutting-edge technology.
Due to the installation works in November, Kaunas Airport passengers may experience some short-term inconveniences during some periods.
The international public procurement announced by Lithuanian Airports for the deployment of next-generation aviation security scanners and baggage lines as early as 2022 has been won by the Polish company Dimark S.A., with a total value of EUR 5.8 million (excluding VAT). The winning company will deploy at Lithuanian airports X-ray equipment from the well-known inspection and detection manufacturer Smiths Detection.
Due to existing infrastructure constraints at Vilnius Airport, it is not possible to install the new generation of aviation screening equipment in the old terminals of Vilnius Airport, so the technology will be deployed in the new departure terminal at the capital’s air gate and will be operational in the first quarter of 2025. A total of 7 baggage screening lines and scanners will be replaced at Vilnius Airport.
According to representatives of Lithuanian Airports, the new standard scanners and lines will help to serve more passengers in the same period of time, and will provide passengers with more convenience and less stress during the screening of hand luggage.
Electronics will be able to stay inside the luggage
The deployment of third generation (C3) three-dimensional computed tomography security scanners is said to be the latest trend in aviation security screening, which is already being seen in practice in some European airports.
“We are taking a very important step towards technological innovation and are the first Baltic airports to actually implement this solution. A significant change for passengers will be that from January next year at the aviation security check at Kaunas Airport it will no longer be necessary to take any electronic devices out of hand luggage, but they, as well as other items, will be visible and analysed in three dimensions with the help of our new generation scanners without even removing them from suitcases or backpacks,” Vidas Kšanas, Head of the Safety and Security Department of Lithuanian Airports, said.
The network of Lithuanian Airports consists of three airports in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. Kaunas Airport (IATA: KUN, ICAO: EYKA) is the second-busiest civil airport in Lithuania after Vilnius Airport.
