London City pledges security system upgrade

London City airport is to abandon the need for passengers to remove items such as laptops and liquids from hand luggage when going through security.

Conventional security X-ray machines are being replaced with  state of the art CT scanners from April 2023.

The upgrade will mean travellers can leave everything in their hand luggage, as the new scanners eliminate the need to remove items.

The new CT scanners process up to 550 trays an hour, per lane.

The aim is to provide a faster and improved experience for passengers, which follows the a separate £12 million investment in the departure lounge at the Docklands airport.

The development come days after the disclosure over government plans for security rules on liquids and laptops in airport hand luggage to be abolished within two years with the adoption of new 3D scanners. 

 London City chief operating officer Alison FitzGerald said: “Following our one-lane trial this year, we know the new CT scanners are high performing and our passengers love them.

“We are always challenging ourselves to make the LCY experience even better, so this, alongside the £12 million upgrade in the departure lounge will mean the journey through the airport in 2023 will be even slicker, with more space and better food and beverage and retail options.”

She added: “Speed, convenience and consistency of service are qualities that we know are so important to our passengers, especially now.”

Jonathan Stone, division manager and aviation director at scanner suppler Leidos said: “We’re excited to expand our partnership with London City airport and enhance their security checkpoints.

“Through our next-generation technology, airports can achieve high security levels, while providing a better travel experience for their passengers.”