American plans to expand use of advanced cabin baggage scanners

American Airlines is already planning to expand the use of advanced security screening equipment as part of a $US6 million deal to buy computed tomography (CT)  equipment that shows a 3-D image of cabin bags and more clearly identifies threats. The airline said a deal with US company Analogic to buy eight units was part of a partnership aimed at greatly expanding the use of CT technology at airport worldwide. Analogic’s ConnectCT system is currently undergoing certification testing with the TSA that will see it installed in checkpoint lanes as part of the TSA Innovation Task Force initiative. It has also started the certification process in Europe. American on June 15 began demonstrating he technology in in a checkpoint lane of Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is set to introduce it in Boston. This was the first time CT Technology, already used for checked bag screening, had been deployed to screen carry-on bags. Its use speeds up the screening process because passengers do not have to take out laptops or  liquid gels and aerosols. The US Department of Homeland Security has identified CT technology as one way airports, includingthose in countries outside the US, could raise the bar for global aviation security. This has ramifications for the ban imposed earlier this year on carrying large electronic devices in the cabins of aircraft operating direct flights from 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. It also comes as the DHS, which is worried terrorists could conceal explosives in devices such as laptops,  is considering expanding that ban to Europe and other parts of the world. American said potential threats the equipment would allow security officials to more clearly identify included those concealed in electronic devices. “At American, we are always looking at ways to invest in technology that enhances global aviation security while improving the customer experience,”  American Airlines senior vice president - customer experience Kerry Philipovitch said in a statement. “We believe strongly in risk-based, intelligence-driven security protocols, which enable the aviation industry to identify, manage and mitigate risk. “Our partnerships with the TSA and Analogic will transform aviation security by bringing state-of-the-art CT technology to the security checkpoint.”