Heathrow airpot is set to trial thermal imaging facial recognition cameras in a bid to spot passengers carrying coronavirus.
It is one of a raft of measures the airport is taking to ensure passenger safety and will be trialled in the next two weeks in Terminal 2.
The new safety procedures include UV sanitation, which could be used to quickly and efficiently sanitise security trays and facial recognition thermal screening technology to accurately track body temperature.
Britain’s largest airport will also trial contact-free security screening equipment to reduce person-to-person contact.
The aviation industry has been decimated by worldwide pandemic as countries’ put in place travels bans to control the spread of the disease.
Heathrow released an image today showing how the thermal screening technology works. It involves using a camera detection system to monitor the temperatures of passengers
Passenger numbers have plummeted causing severe financial problems for airlines, therefore getting airports back open and functional is seen as a key part of getting the industry moving again.
Data from the trials, and whether the measures prove medical effective, will be shared with Government and industry and could lead to the creation of a Common International Standard for health screening.
The temperature screening technology involves using a camera detection system to monitor the temperatures of passengers.
At the outset it will be used in the airport’s immigration halls. If deemed successful the technology would then be used elsewhere in the airport.
Heathrow airport are going to test UV light (pictured) to sanitise security trays
UV sanitation would be used to sanitise security trays while contact-free security screening equipment would mean a reduction in person-to-person contact.
Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, said the government needing to help restart aviation which he described as ‘the cornerstone of the UK economy.’
Mr Holland-Kaye informed the House of Commons Transport Committee today that the airport is to trial technologies which could form the basis of a Common International Standard for health screening at airports across the world.
This is in a bid to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the coronavirus while travelling.
Japanese company NEC is working on an authentication gate to identify yourself so that your hand does not touch your face to remove the mask
His appearance before the committee follows his requests to the Government for Heathrow to lead the global implementation of a Common International Standard in a bid to restore confidence in travel and increase passenger safety as countries prepare to ease their respective lockdowns.
‘The UK has the world’s third largest aviation sector offering the platform for the Government to take a lead in agreeing a Common International Standard for aviation health with our main trading partners.
‘This Standard is key to minimising transmission of Covid-19 across borders, and the technology we are trialling at Heathrow could be part of the solution,’ he said.
The airport is already required to carry out temperature checks by some other countries.
Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye informed the House of Commons Transport Committee today that the airport is to trial technologies. Pictured:
It comes after the CEO of Gatwick Airport previously suggested travellers should have compulsory virus tests 48 hours before departure after lockdown is lifted, the head of Britain’s second busiest airport has said.
Stewart Wingate, also called for passengers to be required to carry ‘health passports’ to prove they are clear of the virus and wear face covers on flights.
Mr Wingate told The Times ministers are considering whether tests, if required, should be carried out at airports or in communities.
‘For example, would it be better for a passenger to arrive at airport with some sort of certification that said “I have been checked over the last 48 hours and I am Covid-free”?’, he said.
‘Those are the sorts of things that I am sure will be considered by the restart and recovery group.’
He added: ‘Passengers increasingly are travelling wearing facial coverings and I am sure that’s something that the government team will be considering.’
A closed Terminal at Heathrow Airport. The screening tests will be introduced in the next two weeks at Terminal 2 and include facial recognition thermal screening technology which accurately tracks body temperature.
Patrick Ikhena, head of travel at comparethemarket.com, said that international travel is likely to ‘look quite different for passengers’ for the forseeable future.
He added: ‘There are likely to be more checks at airports and other major transportation hubs, which could include temperature checks and the requirement to provide evidence that you do not have COVID-19 before embarking on a flight.
‘It is possible that passengers will need to allow considerably more time to arrive at the airport than is currently required.
‘As a consequence, we could see a surge in the number of Brits holidaying in the UK.
‘Our latest customer research finds that only 6% of Britons are considering a long-haul holiday this winter and only 9% are looking at booking a European beach holiday for this summer or autumn, most likely due to a combination of strained household budgets and a wariness over travelling overseas.”