Middle Eastern airports are expected to tighten up security by employing a new contraband and threat detection X-ray system.

This system dramatically enhances baggage screening and detects weapons, explosives and drugs missed by other X-ray equipment.

American Science and Engineering, Inc (AS&E) expects major orders for its newly-developed Gemini parcel and baggage inspection system after giving live demonstrations at this week’s Airport Show in Dubai, which is closing later today with growth of 25 per cent already anticipated in 2008.

Gemini is the first conventional system on the market to combine two X-ray technologies, dual-energy transmission and Z Backscatter X-rays, allowing operators to simultaneously view two images of a parcel and obtain the most information about its contents.

Robert Goodhouse, vice-president of AS&E, said:

“Our participation in the Airport Show has been very successful.

“It has given us the chance to meet a number of regional civil aviation and airport security authorities and we hope this will lead to major orders now that people have seen and tested the Gemini system.

“Dubai is an important market for this technology, not only because of its regional business role, but also due to the extensive airport expansions taking place.

“Gemini offers the UAE aviation market the most comprehensive threat detection available, as well as the lowest-cost multi-technology system.”

The system’s dual-energy transmission technology easily detects metallic objects, such as knives, guns and wires for explosive devices, while the Z Backscatter X-rays quickly highlight organic materials such as explosives and narcotics, which are easily missed by transmission-only systems. Middle Eastern airport officials were able to watch the scanning process and view the images themselves at the Airport Show, taking place in Airport Expo Dubai.

The latest advances in aviation security formed a major focus of the three-day show, organised by Streamline Marketing Group.

Today security experts from around the globe gathered for a one-day Aviation Security Middle East Conference featuring top international speakers. 

Topics under discussion included the management of the emergency response to terrorist situations, the vulnerabilities of airports, aircraft and passengers to terrorist attacks and the latest technologies for passenger and baggage screening.

The Airport Show, now in its seventh year, is the region’s only dedicated trade show for airport construction, operations and technologies.

It has grown by 25 per cent this year attracting more than 500 suppliers from 52 countries and representatives from over 30 civil aviation authorities and airports seeking suppliers for major airport developments across the region.

Laith Kubba, director of Streamline Marketing Group, said:

“The response to this year’s Airport Show has been fantastic and has resulted in a record number of suppliers of the most advanced aviation technology and services in the world.

“For the first time, the event featured international conferences focusing on aviation security as well as ground handling and air traffic control, and these have proved to be a major highlight.

“We are looking to build on this success for 2008 and expect to increase the number of exhibitors to well over 600, maintaining the Airport Show’s position as Asia’s largest international airport industry exhibition.”

The Airport Show takes place under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. TradeArabia News Service