Dublin Airport rolling out new security scanning technology

The rollout of new and improved security scanning technology at Dublin Airport will continue to pick up pace over the coming months, according to airport operator daa.

Around one third of the airport’s 30+ existing X-ray scanners have already been replaced by new cutting edge C3 scanners, with the airport on track to have replaced all scanners in both of its terminals by October 2025, ahead of the regulatory deadline of 31 December 2025.

The new C3 scanners are best in class when it comes to detection standards and also passenger experience, allowing passengers to leave all liquids and laptops inside their cabin bags with the systems working like CT scanners in hospitals to generate 3D images of bags.

Following a 12-month trial of the scanners in a number of lanes in Dublin Airport’s two terminals, daa has agreed a supply and support partnership with Smiths Detection Ltd that will see the company’s C3 scanners installed throughout the airport. The agreement will last for 12 years and will also include the rollout of C3 scanners at Cork Airport, which is also operated by daa.

According to Gary McLean, managing director of Dublin Airport: “Great progress is being made on the rollout of the new C3 scanners, which have proved really popular with passengers over the past 12 months since the process started.

“This week will see the eighth C3 scanner become operational in Terminal 2 and works will continue over the coming months to replace all scanners in T2 by October.

“The rollout in Terminal 1 will take a little longer, with some reconfiguration works required to accommodate the new scanners, which are much bigger and heavier than the existing scanning machines. By the end of May we’ll have four C3 scanners operational in T1 and then with a very busy summer ahead, installation works will pause for the months of June, July and August, before resuming in September. The full installation of C3 scanners in Terminal 1 will be complete by October 2025.

Improving standards for passengers

The rollout of the new scanners comes as Dublin Airport gets set to unveil another suite of improvements in its terminals ahead of summer 2024, based on passenger feedback.

McLean noted: “We’re always listening to passengers to find out what we can do better at Dublin Airport. When something goes wrong or is not working as well as it can, we want to address it quickly.

“That was very much the case last week when it was identified that a number of passengers with medical ailments had encountered issues at security screening. We very much regret those incidents and have immediately taken steps, including additional training for frontline staff, which will prevent these issues happening again.”