Federal Government Trial New Aviation Security Technology at Melbourne Airport, Australia

The Federal Government has launched trials of new explosive detection equipment which may lead to the cessation of the local LAGS program, which restricts the size of liquid etc containers carried on board aircraft by passengers.

The technology combines an advanced multi-view explosive detection x-ray unit and bottled liquid scanners.

The first trial began yesterday at Melbourne Airport, while a second will commence at Sydney Airport on 29 November.

The Government hopes that the technologies will remove the need for passengers to discard their oversize containers of shampoo, water, soft drink, hair product and alcohol before they board an international flight.

The trials were flagged and funded as part of the $200 million aviation security package announced in February.

Similar trails are being conducted in the US and the UK.

Apparently, each month around 1250 Duty Free LAG items (eg perfume and alcohol) and approximately 8000 non valuable items (eg water bottles) are surrendered to screening staff at Sydney International Airport alone.

Asia, Pacific Nations Vow To Fight Threats To Civil Aviation

Asia and Pacific nations vowed Saturday to fight emerging terror threats to commercial aircraft by boosting international security standards and measures, including screening technology.

The declaration was made in Tokyo at a one-day meeting attended by ministers and senior officials from 17 countries, plus Hong Kong and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security was held in response to an aborted terror attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 approaching Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano noted that the 289 people aboard the plane were from 18 countries including Australia, Japan, Canada, India, Pakistan and China.
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