First French Airport Deploys Smiths Detection’s New Integrated Security Solution

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southern France is to deploy Checkpoint.Evo, a newly launched innovative software solution that greatly enhances the inspection and integration capacities of security checkpoints.

It will be the first French airport to install the system, developed by Smiths Detection in partnership with Optosecurity of Canada. Deployment is due for completion by July 2015 at the international airport which handled around 8 million passengers last year.

Checkpoint.Evo connects individual sensors to a fully networked checkpoint system to provide real-time data collection, distribution and management that improves both the inspection process and operational efficiency.

Kevin Riordan, Capability Manager of Smiths Detection, said: "Checkpoint.Evo will significantly improve Toulouse-Blagnac Airport’s operational efficiency and checkpoint effectiveness, enhancing the overall passenger experience as a result. We look forward to working closely with them to ensure the operational benefits of this new integrated system are maximised.”

The centralised remote screening helps speed up inspection of hand luggage because image evaluation and alarm resolution from, for instance, x-ray scanners can be centrally monitored away from the noise and distractions of the checkpoint.

In addition, advanced recheck functions electronically mark suspicious areas in bags to enable a more focused search for illegal items by on-the-spot operators, resulting in faster throughput and reduced queuing times.

Checkpoint.Evo's data management capabilities offer real-time and historical data for analysis and reporting which allows airport operators to share information and monitor the entire screening operation via remote portable devices, such as tablet PCs.

Smiths Detection offers advanced security solutions in civil and military markets worldwide, developing and manufacturing government-regulated technology products that help detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, radiological and nuclear threats, weapons, narcotics and contraband. It is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying integrated, advanced technologies to markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people in more than 50 countries.

About Optosecurity

Optosecurity is a software company that is dedicated to the automatic detection of threats (firearms, explosives) and the optimization of security checkpoint processes (airports, nuclear stations, embassies). It is the first software company to have developed a remote screening solution for airport security checkpoints. With deployments in approximately 20 airports in Europe, Optosecurity’s solutions increase security at security checkpoints whilst reducing operational costs and increasing throughput.

About Toulouse-Blagnac Airport

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is the fifth largest airport in France, with more than 7.5 million passengers in 2014. It is also the 1st regional cargo airport in France, processing over 60,000 tons. Its modern and efficient facilities contribute to the very high quality of its service, as acknowledged by passenger satisfaction surveys. Airbus and ATR’s assembly lines situated along the airport’s runways helped carve the airport’s name in aviation history for hosting pioneer flights of legendary aircraft such as the Caravelle, the Concorde or the Airbus A380. In 2014, the Airbus A320 NEO took flight for the first time from the airport’s runways. Toulouse-Blagnac Airport offers regularly scheduled flights to 17 domestic destinations, 40 international destinations and 40 charter destinations.