New in Ben Gurion Airport: Automatic Exit Screening
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עברית (Hebrew)
The new HBS automatic security screening system checks the baggage of all exiting passengers
By iHLS NewsDesk
All the suitcases belonging to exiting passengers in the Ben Gurion Airport are already checked by the airport’s new security system. The initial results have been positive: Few incidents requiring manual inspection of baggage, almost no mistakes and malfunctions.
Top Airport Authority officials told iHLS that from a security standpoint, the HBS (Hold Baggage Screening) system is working perfectly, and that it is still being adapted to work better with the luggage conveyor system. The main HBS components are new, very advanced screening machines.
Using the new procedures, passengers will arrive at the airport already holding a boarding card, after checking in from their homes, hotels, internet or at check-in counters soon to be installed in the airport. The passengers will present their travel documents to the security guards, who will mark their luggage and send it to the automatic security screening system, where the screening process will be conducted without the passengers being present. The passenger hall in terminal 3 will no longer feature screening machines.
iHLS – Israel Homeland Security
The HBS screening is automatic, although if a suspicious material is detected in a suitcase it is transferred for a thorough manual check. For this reason passengers will be asked to arrive at the airport with the luggage unlocked, so that human security officials can check them without breaking the locks.
Airport Authority management stated that everything is being done so that the new systems begin work during Passover, when there’s a much higher demand for flights.
The benefit from using the system is double: Saving time and conducting non-biased screening. Manual checks can take up to an hour. With the new system’s aid security officials can quicly pinpoint the locations of forbidden materials. Since the system checks the luggage of all passengers, it’s also non-biased. Around 70 million dollars were invested in the system. It was manufactured in the U.S. and developed in accordance with FAA security standards.
