Travelers passing through security at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can look forward to a smoother experience thanks to the recent installation of new “CT scanners.”
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) reports that this advanced technology will help reduce wait times at airport checkpoints. With the new system, domestic travelers can proceed through security screening without needing to remove liquids, aerosols, gels, or large electronics from their carry-on bags.
These newly renovated checkpoints, serving passengers traveling through YVR’s A, B, and C gates, are designed to alleviate congestion during peak hours while providing travelers with greater flexibility in navigating the airport.
YVR is the first airport in Canada to implement this advanced security screening technology, which has been in operation since September 4, according to the airport authority.
X-ray Imaging
The U.S. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering explains that CT is a computerized imaging procedure where a narrow beam of X-rays is aimed at a subject and rapidly rotated around it. This process generates signals that are processed by the machine’s computer to create cross-sectional images, or “slices.” These slices can then be digitally “stacked” to produce a three-dimensional image. In the medical field, CT scanners are commonly used for diagnostic purposes.
“This state-of-the-art technology will significantly enhance security effectiveness by improving screening officers' ability to detect explosive materials and potential threats through detailed views of carry-on baggage and items in the screening bins,” stated CATSA President Nada Semaan during a media event on September 18.
Plans for Expansion
Efforts are underway to install the scanners at other Canadian airports, although this process is expected to take a few years, according to Semaan. The project is not inexpensive; CATSA reported funding of $23 million for the first year alone. Meanwhile, Vancouver International Airport has invested an additional $30 million to renovate the space and accommodate the new scanners.
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