Fraport AG has partnered with the German Federal Police to deploy new automatic prohibited item detection systems (APIDS) software at Frankfurt Airport – marking the first time a European airport has implemented such technology.
The technology utilises artificial intelligence (AI) in order to aid in the evaluation of x-ray images by automatically detecting items that aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage. On-site security check personnel then make any final decisions on how any offending items are dealt with.
Alexander Laukenmann, Fraport AG’s Senior Executive Vice President for Aviation, said:By introducing APIDS, we’re defining a new standard of aviation security.
The system provides valuable support to our security personnel, enabling them to make more precise checks more efficiently and helping to additionally raise the already high standard of security at Frankfurt Airport. With strategic foresight, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior defined certification requirements that have facilitated fast, smooth implementation in collaboration with the German Federal Police.
APIDS is now currently in use across all of the airport’s terminals, totalling more than 50 CT scanners from Smiths Detection. It was previously trialled within the scope of a test phase at the airport itself, which was enabled by the European Union and certified following a close collaboration between Fraport, the German Federal Police and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Kerstin Kohlmetz, President of the Federal Police Office at Frankfurt Airport said:On the basis of joint intensive testing of the APID system over the course of several months, Fraport AG and the German Federal Police were able to obtain valuable results from its ongoing operation.
These then played an important role in getting it certified and approved for use. Once again, we have achieved a successful result by closely collaborating in the field of innovative aviation security technology.
Since assuming responsibility for the management of aviation security checks; Fraport has invested around 50 million EUR to install new security check lanes thus far, equipping them all with state-of-the-art CT technology.
