Ruth Haines
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the aviation industry, with airports and airlines needing to implement permanent health screening measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Health screening at airports aims to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and typically involves checking passengers for symptoms of illness, which may include the use of temperature screening devices or thermal imaging cameras. In addition, airports may also employ biometric technology and digital processing to streamline security and health screening procedures. While the introduction of health screening adds complexity to airport operations, it is necessary to rebuild public confidence in air travel and ensure the industry's recovery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To establish health screening processes for airports in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Screening methods | Option A: Hand-held temperature screening devices; Option B: Thermal imaging camera technology |
| Screening throughput | 720 pax per hour |
| Screening technology | Biometric technology, digital processing, touchless technology |
| Radiation | Body scanners release low levels of backscatter x-ray ionizing radiation and millimeter-wave non-ionizing radiation |
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What You'll Learn
Health screening and security measures
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on airlines and airports worldwide. In response to the pandemic, airports have implemented health screening and security measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. These measures aim to prevent the spread of the virus and build public confidence in air travel.
Health screening at airports typically involves primary screening, which may include a combination of visual observation, questionnaires, and body temperature measurements. Visual observation methods involve trained non-medical personnel identifying travellers who exhibit symptoms of the disease. Questionnaires are used to determine if an individual has been in a disease-affected area, had possible contact with an infected person, and to collect contact information. Body temperature measurements can be taken using handheld devices or thermal imaging camera technology.
If an individual is identified as potentially having a disease during primary screening, they may be subjected to secondary screening, which involves a medical examination by an officer. This typically takes place within the airport's vicinity and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. If the officer suspects that the individual has an infectious disease, they may be escorted to a quarantine station within the airport or to a hospital for further tests.
In addition to health screening, airports also employ security screening measures. Security screening includes the use of body-scanning units that can detect prohibited items and substances. These body scanners release low levels of radiation. In the United States, body scanners typically use millimeter-wave technology, which creates a 3D image using low-energy radio waves.
To integrate health and security screening into a single process, airports may adopt biometric technology and new digital processing methods. This would provide a simplified, touchless, and seamless travel experience for passengers. However, until reliable security technology can eliminate the need for physical contact during screening, human agents will continue to play a crucial role in the process.
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Health screening and COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, airports have had to adapt to new health screening measures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Health screening at airports is a complex process that requires a rapid response from airport operators and owners to adhere to changing regulatory requirements. The implementation of health screening has been a challenge for airports, as they must balance the need for efficient travel processes with the need for thorough health checks.
AiQ Consulting has developed the Airport Recovery Tool (ARTΔ) to assist airport managers in addressing these challenges. ARTΔ helps airports manage new norms, including health screening and social distancing, and facilitates decision-making regarding flight schedules. AiQ has also proposed semi-permanent health screening facilities that are modular, scalable, offsite-fabricated, and fully equipped with relevant equipment. These facilities aim to streamline the health screening process by providing dedicated spaces for checks.
One critical aspect of health screening is temperature screening. Two options for temperature checks have been suggested: Option A involves a screening operative using a handheld device to check and record each passenger's temperature, with an estimated throughput of 180 passengers per hour. Option B employs thermal imaging camera technology to automatically detect elevated temperatures, triggering an alarm if the threshold is exceeded. This method can screen up to 720 passengers per hour.
Additionally, basic health prevention measures such as mask mandates and social distancing have been recommended by aviation industries and health organizations in countries like the US to minimize potential cross-contamination during pre-board security checks. These measures aim to integrate health screening and security protocols seamlessly. However, as Angela Gittens, ACI World's director general, noted, it is essential to adapt security screening practices to new circumstances without compromising overall security.
As countries gradually reopen their borders, airports will need to establish common protocols for health screening processes, especially in areas of high passenger concentration, to ensure a safe environment and rebuild passenger confidence in air travel.
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Biometric technology and health screening
Biometric technology is being explored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enhance security, improve efficiency, and streamline the passenger experience at airports. This technology includes facial recognition, fingerprint, palm, and iris scanning, as well as digital IDs, which automate the ID and boarding pass verification process, making it faster and more secure.
Facial recognition technology, for example, can be used for check-ins, security screenings, and boarding, providing greater accuracy and a contactless experience. This is particularly desirable due to global health concerns, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in the implementation of health screening and social distancing measures at airports.
Several airports in the United States, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), have already started using biometric technology for entry, exit, and TSA aviation security. Additionally, TSA Bag Drop allows eligible Pre-Check and Global Entry members to use touchless and tokenless matching, replacing the identification check at baggage drop.
Biometric technology also extends to baggage scanning, with AI-powered systems offering computed tomography (CT) imaging that provides detailed 3D representations of luggage contents. These systems allow TSA officers to inspect baggage without requiring passengers to remove electronics or liquids, streamlining the security process.
The use of biometric technology in airports is expected to continue evolving, with ongoing testing and evaluation to enhance security effectiveness and improve the passenger experience.
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Health screening and radiation exposure
Health screening at airports involves the use of body-scanning units and x-ray machines to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. These screening methods release low levels of radiation, including ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation, in the form of backscatter X-rays, can be emitted by body scanners and x-ray machines used for luggage screening. Non-ionizing radiation, on the other hand, is utilized by technologies such as millimeter-wave scanners and metal detectors.
While ionizing radiation from backscatter X-rays can pose health risks at high doses, the levels emitted by airport scanners are considered extremely low. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other sources, the risk of harm from these scanners is trivial. The radiation exposure from a single scan is equivalent to 3 to 9 minutes of exposure to natural sources of radiation in daily life. Additionally, the machines are designed to meet strict standards and regulations to limit radiation exposure, with annual testing to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Despite the low risks associated with airport screening, some individuals may still have concerns, especially those who are particularly vulnerable to radiation's effects. It is important to note that the benefits of improved security and safety outweigh the potential risks of radiation exposure. However, if passengers have anxieties about radiation exposure from body scanners, they are not required to use them and can opt for alternative screening methods such as a pat-down search.
To put radiation exposure into perspective, a passenger on a 6-hour flight may be exposed to approximately 14.3 μSv of radiation from the flight itself and an additional 0.03 to 0.1 μSv from an airport body scanner. This means that the scanner increases the total radiation exposure by less than 1%. Overall, while airport health screening does involve low-level radiation exposure, the risks are negligible compared to the benefits of ensuring safe air travel.
In summary, while airport health screening does entail exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, the levels are minimal and regulated to ensure passenger safety. The benefits of improved security outweigh the negligible risks associated with radiation exposure. Passengers with concerns about radiation can opt for alternative screening methods, but the overall increase in radiation exposure from airport scanners is insignificant compared to the radiation experienced during air travel.
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Health screening and passenger safety
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on airlines and airports worldwide, and it has become clear that airports and airlines will have to make permanent changes to provide a healthy and safe environment and help boost the confidence of passengers to trust flying again.
Health screening systems for air travellers work by using visual observation, questionnaires, body temperature measurement devices, and medical examinations. Visual observation methods use trained non-medical personnel to observe travellers and identify those who exhibit symptoms of a disease. Questionnaires are designed to ascertain if a traveller was in a disease-affected area or had any possible contact with anyone infected with the viral agent, to ask the traveller to report any symptoms, and to obtain the traveller's contact information. Body temperature measurement devices can include a screening operative using a handheld temperature screening device, or thermal imaging camera technology to capture the temperatures of passengers, and then automatically raise an alarm if the temperature threshold is breached. If a traveller is found to have a sign associated with the disease, they will be examined by a medical officer in a process known as secondary screening. If, after the medical examination, the officer suspects that the traveller has an infectious disease, the traveller is then escorted to a quarantine station within the airport or to a hospital, for further medical examinations and laboratory tests.
In addition to these health screening measures, airports will also have to continue to use body-scanning units as part of their security measures. These units can release low levels of radiation including backscatter x-ray ionizing radiation and millimeter-wave non-ionizing radiation. In the United States, body-scanning units use millimeter-wave technology, which uses non-ionizing radiation in the form of low-level radio waves to scan a person's body.
Looking to the future, it is expected that biometric technology and new digital processing will provide a simplified integrated solution for security and health screening, with a smooth walk-through process using touchless and digital biometric technology.
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Frequently asked questions
Health screening at airports is a process that was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
Health screening at airports can include temperature screening, where an operative uses a handheld device or thermal imaging camera technology to record the temperatures of passengers.
Health screening at airports can also include biometric technology and new digital processing methods.
The throughput rate for health screening is likely to be 720 passengers per hour.
Airport body scanners have been known to release low levels of radiation. If you are concerned about radiation exposure, you can opt for a pat-down search instead.
