Operator Fraport has assumed responsibility for the organisation, management, and performance of the security checkpoints at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
The German Federal Police, previously tasked with these responsibilities, will continue to hold statutory oversight and supervision roles, as well as overall responsibility for aviation security. The police force will also continue to provide armed protection at checkpoints, certification and approval of new checkpoint infrastructure, and handle the certification and recertification process for aviation security personnel.
Three service providers have been commissioned to conduct passenger screenings on behalf of Fraport: FraSec Aviation Security (FraSec), I-SEC Deutsche Luftsicherheit (I-Sec), and Securitas Aviation Service (Securitas). In addition, state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanners from Smiths Detection have been deployed at six selected aviation security lanes since the start of the year. The German Federal Police tested the reliability of the CT technology during a trial run in September 2022.
Fraport’s CEO Dr Stefan Schulte said: “I’m pleased that Fraport – as the operator of Frankfurt Airport – is now able to assume more responsibility for security checks. This will allow us to bring our experience and skills into the operational management of aviation security. By deploying new technology and innovative lane designs at Germany’s largest aviation gateway, we can provide our customers and passengers with greater convenience and shorter wait times, while maintaining our high security standards.”
Schulte added: “I would also like to thank our partners from the German Federal Interior Ministry and the German Federal Police for taking such a cooperative approach and being trusted partners on the road towards our new ‘Frankfurt Model’. One thing will remain the same: in aviation, security is always the highest priority.”
The technology used in the CT scanners, which are also widely deployed in medicine, will facilitate reliable, rapid, and differentiated scanning of all kinds of materials and objects. For passengers, going through the security checks will become much more straightforward: at the new security checkpoints, liquids up to a maximum of 100ml, smartphones, and other electronic devices no longer have to be presented separately but may remain in hand luggage.
In addition, 3D scans will make the job easier for staff working at the checkpoints. The new technology will reduce the number of secondary checks needed and will ultimately lead to shorter wait times. In the long term, Fraport plans to deploy the new equipment across all checkpoints.
Image: Smiths Detection/ Fraport
