With 50 brand-new smart security screening channels and 32 full-body scanners expected to be operational over the next two years, Hong Kong Airport is all set to elevate the airport experience for flyers. With an HKD 800 million (USD 102 million) upgrade in tow, travellers will no longer need to take out electronics and liquids from their hand luggage when they pass through security at the Hong Kong Airport, a travel hassle that most passengers dread. The revamp is expected to take shape in multiple phases over the next two years.

Also, explore our comprehensive guide to shopping, eating, and luxuriating at the Hong Kong Airport.

“Hong Kong will become the world’s first airport to fully adopt a smart security screening system,” said Steven Yiu Siu-chung, the Airport Authority’s executive director of airport operations, according to a report in South China Morning Post. “We hope 98 per cent of passengers will complete the security screening process within 4.5 minutes,” he added.

Hong Kong Airport security upgrade: No need to take out liquids and gadgets from your hand luggage

Hong Kong airport travellers can keep liquids, gadgets in carry-on bags under upgrade https://t.co/TaGigwY2hr

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) June 26, 2024

Hong Kong Airport’s security halls boast 35 lanes, handling 240 passengers per lane every hour. With the upgrade, the number of lanes will reduce to 28 while increasing each lane’s capacity to 360 passengers per hour.

Key provisions of the smart upgrade will include an automated baggage handling tray to accommodate three people at a time, and a new computerised tomography (CT) X-ray machine to replace the existing scanners. Reducing the screening time from 15 to 10 seconds, these devices will create three-dimensional images of the carry-on luggage for in-depth analysis. While liquids and electronics no longer need to be presented separately, carrying liquids over 100 ml will likely remain on the list of prohibited items.

The new full-body scanners replacing manual checks will also minimise the contact between passengers and security staff.

Jacob Cheung Tak-Keung, executive director of Aviation Security Company (managing the airport’s security services), said that about 3,100 staff members have been trained to use the new security system, ensuring hassle-free scheduling of manpower.

(Feature Image Credit: Phuong D. Nguyen/Shutterstock)

Related: These Are the Best Airlines, Airports and Cruise Lines in 2024

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Written By