O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg has become the first African airport to implement the Smart Security checkpoint that will digitise the security check process, speed up passenger progress through security, and further enhance security through use of state-of-the-art scanners.
The pilot implementation of the Smart Security system goes live on 8 November at the international departures security point at ORTIA.
Security turnstiles have been installed, where boarding passes will be verified electronically before passengers are allowed to proceed to the scanning area. There will also be less frequent requirements for laptops to be removed from bags and switched on.
The new system is expected to drastically reduce the need for physical pat-downs of passengers who set off security alarms, because the scanning technology is much better at detecting objects that should not be carried on or around anyone intending to fly.
The pilot of the Smart Security checkpoint will run until the end of January 2017, when its effectiveness will be assessed and possible improvements identified. Airports Company South Africa believes that over time it should be feasible to introduce the system across all the airports it operates.