Dublin Airport has introduced six new 3D security scanners which will mean quicker security checks, and eventually see the end of liquids restrictions.
The new C3 scanners at Dublin Airport will replace traditional baggage x-ray machines with 3D scans that will instantly provide an image of a bag’s contents. The technology will mean that passengers won’t have to remove liquids or electronics from their bags during security checks, and it's set to help get passengers through more quickly.
Taking to social media in recent days, Dublin Airport wrote: "By mid-June, we'll have 5 scanners installed in our 2 terminals, including this new lane in T2. The ramp-up in installations follows a successful pilot trial of the technology over the past 6 months."
Read more: Social welfare Ireland: Payment dates shake-up due to June Bank Holiday
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, Kevin Cullinane daa's Group Head of Communications said that the new scanners will "future-proof" the security at the busy airport.
Mr Cullinane said: "We've been piloting this since last Christmas, some passengers may have experienced it then as it meant they no longer had to remove liquids, lotions, gels or electronic devices from their cabin bag and their wheelie bag as they were going through Dublin Airport.
"We've now replaced six of the lanes with those traditional x-ray machines with these new, three dimensional scans which provide instant imaging for the security officers. It means the queuing lines get speeded up, people have to take less or in most cases nothing at all out of their bags, less bags are going for a secondary search which means people go through the process much quicker and end up getting a much better experience overall."
Mr Cullinane explained that due to the heavy machinery, they are carrying out works to reinforce some of the old Terminal 1 floors to take the weight of the machines. He added that currently normal rules still apply until all the machines are installed.
"While we'll have six scanners deployed for the very busy summer season ahead given that we have obviously over 30 security lanes across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to go through this we're not going to impact on a very busy summer so we'll to pause the programme during the next three months at the peak of the summer, so for now the usual EU wide restrictions apply.
"The 100ml liquid restrictions still apply for now but when this programme is fully completed people can pass through as they please and go through these scanners in due time. It's going to be a game-changer eventually across Europe, it'll ultimately lead to the ending of that 100ml ban on liquids.
"So for now Irish airports are ahead of the posse, the regional airports have already completed their transformation. But for now it will future-proof the security processing at Dublin Airport.
"We'll have Terminal 2 completed by the first quarter next year, and Terminal 1 will take a little bit longer it has heavier machines and will require minor works which will take a bit longer."
In recent days, the demand for car parking at the airport has skyrocketed and the Dublin Airport website states that all car park spaces have been fully sold out.
When asked about the recent car parking situation at Dublin Airport, Mr Cullinane warned that their 23,000 parking spaces are in "high demand" this summer.
"The advice is please book parking spaces in advance. There are small carparks in the vicinity you can check, and sustainable transport transport like buses."
Meanwhile, the country's busiest airport also has the option to buy the former QuickPark site on the Santry Road. If purchased, an additional 6,000 spaces would be made available.
READ NEXT:
- Footage captures sweet moment air stewardess is surprised with engagement ring at Dublin Airport
- Dublin Airport flights: Ryanair launches new sale in time for June Bank Holiday
- 'I was a frontline worker during Covid- now I'm sleeping in my car'
- Motorcyclist dies following crash in Meath
Ronan Keating shares he's getting a vasectomy after previous setback
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
