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Malta International Airport to Install Advanced C3 Scanners Enhancing Security and Passenger Experience
August 09 2024 13:42 by PCLMedia
By the end of 2024, Malta International Airport (MIA) will have completed the installation of six advanced C3 scanners as part of a €3,000,000 investment aimed at improving the security screening process for passengers. These state-of-the-art scanners are designed to streamline the security process by allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronic devices such as laptops and tablets in their hand luggage during checks.
The C3 scanners utilize cutting-edge technology to generate a detailed 3D image of the contents inside luggage. This provides security personnel with a clearer and more comprehensive view, enabling them to identify potential threats more effectively. This technology not only enhances security but also speeds up the screening process, reducing the time passengers spend in security lines.
The first of these scanners was installed and began operation at MIA in June 2024. The remaining scanners are expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, significantly improving the overall efficiency of the airport’s security screening area.
While emphasizing that EU authorities are working diligently with Malta to ensure timely Entry/Exit System (EES) deployment, the Commission has not denied Malta's initial struggle to start preparations. Discussions between the Commission and Malta are ongoing to find necessary solutions that comply with EES Regulation requirements, ensuring the system is operational from day one. The Commission remains committed to supporting Malta throughout the preparation phase.
The Maltese government admitted in early June that they were behind schedule in EES preparations, attributing the delay to a lack of interest from companies in the initial tender process required for system implementation at the borders.
For undisclosed reasons, the EES launch has been postponed from the initial date of October 6 to November 10. Although the EU has not issued an official statement, sources from the Independent newspaper suggest that the launch could be further delayed to November 17. This delay is reportedly due to several countries, including those with air borders, failing to implement the system on time.
The (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area. The system aims to enhance border security, prevent irregular migration, and streamline the entry/exit process for travelers.
- Purpose of EES: To record the time and place of entry and exit of non-EU nationals, calculate the duration of their stay, and facilitate the identification of overstayers.
- Technological Requirements: EES requires significant technological infrastructure, including biometric data collection points and secure data storage systems.
- Challenges Faced by Member States: Many countries face logistical and technical challenges in implementing the EES, such as securing necessary funding, developing infrastructure, and ensuring interoperability with existing systems.
- Support from the EU: The European Commission provides technical and financial assistance to Member States to aid in the implementation of the EES, ensuring all countries can meet the operational requirements. Malta International Airport is not alone in adopting this technology; several other airports across the European Union and the United Kingdom are also upgrading their security systems with similar C3 scanners. These scanners are capable of screening containers and bottles with more than 100 milliliters of liquids, gels, and sprays, potentially paving the way for a more relaxed approach to liquid restrictions in the future.
However, despite the capabilities of these new scanners, the European Commission announced last week that it will enforce temporary restrictions on the volume of liquids in hand luggage across EU countries, effective from September 1, 2024. According to the new directive, only bottles containing no more than 100 milliliters of liquid will be permitted in hand luggage, even if they pass through C3 scanners.
The European Commission clarified that this measure is a precautionary response to a technical issue, not due to any new or emerging threats to passenger safety. The Commission is actively working with Member States and the European Civil Aviation Conference to find a technical solution to this issue as soon as possible.
Despite these new restrictions, existing exemptions will still apply at Malta International Airport. Passengers will be allowed to carry larger quantities of prescribed medicines and baby food for children under the age of two, provided they are required for the duration of the flight. These items, however, may be subject to additional inspections.
The restrictions on liquids in hand luggage were first introduced across the European Union in 2006, following the discovery of a planned terrorist attack at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom, which involved homemade explosives. The ongoing advancements in security technology, such as the introduction of C3 scanners, reflect continued efforts to balance passenger convenience with safety in air travel.
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