Airport News:

Detroit, TSA Unveil New Baggage Screening System


DETROIT – March 19 - Wayne County Airport Authority and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today showcased the new $72 million in-line explosives detection baggage screening system now in place and operational at Detroit Metro Airport’s (DTW) McNamara terminal.

 

“The success of this project is the result of the excellent partnership between the airport, the air carriers, and TSA,” said Federal Security Director Bob Ball. “Adding this latest technology and employing innovative collaborative project management represent our commitment to the traveling public.”

 

The new system provides passengers, airlines, and TSA with the speed, convenience and security of a fully automated, state-of-the art baggage handling and screening solution. With the in-line system in place, TSA now can quickly and thoroughly screen thousands of bags per hour.

 

“This system is representative of the type of cutting-edge technology that TSA is deploying at world-class airports across the country, and which is already operational in our new North Terminal,” said WCAA CEO Lester Robinson. “With the new McNamara in-line system fully-operational, all bags departing from Detroit or connecting here via an international flight will be screened quickly and efficiently.”

 

The new system is designed to quickly detect and address any potential threats. All checked bags are routed by approximately nine miles of conveyor belts through the first ever large scale install of 14 GE CTX 9400 Explosive Detection Systems (EDS). This automated technology allows TSA to separate harmless checked luggage from suspect bags. Bags that alarm are sent to a secondary screening area where they receive close scrutiny by highly-skilled TSA security officers before being cleared for transport.

 

The in-line system was designed with future airport growth data to ensure TSA’s baggage screening capabilities can expand to meet increased demand at Detroit. TSA partially funded the system by providing $36.5 million for the EDS equipment, integration, workstations, and airport facility modification. The deployment of 14 GE CTX 9400's represents the only large scale GE install of this latest version.