Airport Full Body Scanners

Airport Full Body Scanners

Global Airport Full Body Scanners Market to Reach US$386.6 Million by 2030

The global market for Airport Full Body Scanners estimated at US$352.6 Million in the year 2023, is expected to reach US$386.6 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 1.3% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Millimeter Radio-Wave Scanner Technology, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 1.6% CAGR and reach US$275.9 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Backscatter X-Ray Scanner Technology segment is estimated at 0.6% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$95.6 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 0.9% CAGR

The Airport Full Body Scanners market in the U.S. is estimated at US$95.6 Million in the year 2023. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$59.9 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 0.9% over the analysis period 2023-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 0.6% and 0.2% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately -0.3% CAGR.

Global Airport Full Body Scanners Market - Key Trends and Drivers Summarized

Why Are Airport Full Body Scanners Becoming a Standard Security Measure?

Airport full body scanners have emerged as a key element in modern airport security protocols, but what specific factors have driven their widespread adoption? In the increasingly complex world of air travel, the need for heightened security measures has grown in response to the evolving tactics of global terrorism and other security threats. Traditional security devices, such as metal detectors, are limited in their ability to detect non-metallic items like explosives, ceramic weapons, or plastic-based contraband. Full body scanners, which use either millimeter-wave or backscatter X-ray technology, offer a more comprehensive detection method by identifying both metallic and non-metallic objects concealed under clothing. This expanded detection capability has made full body scanners essential for intercepting threats that might otherwise go unnoticed, thus enhancing passenger safety. Moreover, the sheer volume of air travelers worldwide has surged, placing tremendous pressure on airport infrastructure to maintain both high security and operational efficiency. Full body scanners help to streamline the security process, reducing the need for more invasive manual checks and speeding up the flow of passengers through checkpoints. The scanners’ ability to quickly and accurately scan passengers without requiring physical pat-downs has made them not only more effective but also more convenient for passengers and security personnel alike. In addition to their efficiency and effectiveness, full body scanners have become a symbol of airports’ commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to keep pace with emerging security threats, positioning them as a standard feature in airports globally.

How Do Full Body Scanners Work and What Technology Do They Use?

The functionality of airport full body scanners is rooted in sophisticated technology, but how do they operate to ensure enhanced security? There are two primary types of scanners in use: millimeter-wave scanners and backscatter X-ray scanners, each utilizing different methods to detect concealed items. Millimeter-wave scanners operate by emitting radio waves that bounce off the body and create a detailed, three-dimensional image. These waves penetrate clothing but not the skin, allowing the system to identify objects hidden under a person’s clothes. What sets millimeter-wave technology apart is its ability to detect a range of materials, including plastics, liquids, and ceramics, which are often used in non-metallic explosives. These scanners are preferred in many airports because they do not emit ionizing radiation, which is a major consideration for frequent travelers and airport personnel. Backscatter X-ray scanners, on the other hand, use low-dose X-rays to create a two-dimensional image of a person’s body. These X-rays bounce off organic and inorganic materials differently, allowing the system to highlight suspicious objects by contrasting the density of various materials. While backscatter X-ray scanners were initially popular due to their accuracy, concerns about the potential health risks associated with even low levels of ionizing radiation have led many airports to favor millimeter-wave scanners instead. Both types of scanners are designed to detect concealed weapons, explosives, or prohibited items that metal detectors cannot identify, and recent advancements in image processing software now allow the technology to differentiate between benign items and actual threats with greater accuracy. This progress minimizes the need for manual inspections and further accelerates the screening process, making full body scanners an integral part of the modern airport security landscape.

What Are the Privacy and Health Concerns Associated with Full Body Scanners?

While full body scanners have enhanced security measures, their use has not been without controversy, particularly in relation to privacy and health. How have these concerns been addressed to balance safety with individual rights? Initially, there was significant public resistance to full body scanners because early models produced highly detailed images of passengers` bodies, which many perceived as intrusive and a violation of personal privacy. These images, though viewed only by security personnel, sparked widespread debate about the extent to which privacy should be sacrificed for safety. In response to these concerns, airports and manufacturers quickly adapted by implementing software that transforms the detailed body images into generic, avatar-like representations. These avatars highlight only potential threats, rather than revealing an exact likeness of the individual, which has largely mitigated the privacy concerns that originally surrounded the technology. Health concerns have also played a pivotal role in the conversation surrounding full body scanners, particularly those that use backscatter X-ray technology. The fact that backscatter scanners emit ionizing radiation, even at low doses, raised alarms among frequent travelers, pilots, and health advocates who feared the cumulative effects of exposure. Although health authorities have generally deemed these radiation levels safe, many airports have opted for millimeter-wave scanners, which use non-ionizing radio waves and are considered harmless. This transition has helped address health-related fears, especially as the technology becomes more widespread. Moreover, the scanners themselves are constantly being refined to improve both their safety profile and efficiency, further easing public concern.

What’s Driving the Global Adoption of Full Body Scanners in Airports?

The growth of full body scanners in airports worldwide is being fueled by a variety of factors, ranging from evolving security threats to technological advancements and operational efficiencies. The primary driver of this adoption is the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by those attempting to bypass traditional airport security systems. In the face of new, non-metallic threats like plastic explosives or concealed liquid explosives, metal detectors and conventional screening methods are no longer sufficient. Full body scanners, with their ability to detect a wide range of concealed objects, have become essential tools in addressing these emerging threats and preventing potential attacks. This need for heightened security has led to widespread regulatory mandates, with aviation authorities across the globe requiring airports to upgrade their screening technologies to meet international security standards. In addition to security concerns, advances in full body scanning technology itself have made these systems more efficient and affordable for airports to adopt. Innovations in image processing, threat detection algorithms, and scanner design have reduced the time it takes to screen passengers, thereby improving the overall passenger experience while maintaining high security standards. Airports are increasingly under pressure to process larger numbers of travelers without causing delays, and full body scanners offer a solution that balances security with operational efficiency. Furthermore, the growth of global air travel, particularly in emerging markets, has necessitated the adoption of cutting-edge security infrastructure to ensure that airports can handle the increasing volume of passengers while maintaining strict safety protocols. Finally, the global push toward seamless travel, where passengers can move through airports with minimal disruptions, has also played a role in the adoption of full body scanners. As part of broader efforts to modernize and streamline airport operations, full body scanners are viewed as a way to enhance security without causing significant slowdowns at checkpoints. With their ability to provide fast, non-invasive scans that detect a wide range of threats, these scanners have become a crucial tool in ensuring both security and convenience, making their global adoption inevitable.

Select Competitors (Total 34 Featured) -

• American Science & Engineering Group
• Braun & Company
• Brijot Imaging Systems (Microsemi)
• CST Digital Communications
• L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
• Millivision Inc.
• Morpho (Safran)
• Rapiscan Systems Ltd.
• Smiths Group PLC
• Tek84 Engineering Group LLC

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