Officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and United Airlines recently announced the completion of a new 19-lane “modern” checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Terminal C, which includes 17 automated security screening lanes and two standard checkpoint lanes.
While the first of the automated lanes opened just before the Thanksgiving rush last fall, the remaining lanes have been slowly phased in over the past few months. EWR sees approximately 60,000 passengers fly out of the New York metropolitan area airport each day.
“Our partnership with United Airlines has been an important step in enhancing the traveler experience here at Newark while maintaining effective security,” TSA Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia said. “This collaboration is a perfect example of how business and government have worked hand-in-hand to benefit tens of thousands of passengers who are traveling out of United’s hub here at Newark Liberty International Airport every day. It is nothing short of a model partnership.”
The project was initiated by the TSA’s Innovative Task Force. United provided the initial equipment investment while the TSA ensures proper operational deployment and long-term maintenance.
The new screening lanes now offer several automated feature designs previously done manually to improve traveler experience and increase efficiency. Innovations include automated conveyor belts that return bins back to the front of the passenger line, parallel rollers that push alarmed bags to a separate area, and unique Radio Frequency Identification tags that are attached to each bin to allow for additional accountability.
“At United, we pursue innovation in everything that we do, on the ground and in the air,” Greg Hart, United’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, said. “The opening of our fully redesigned, state-of-the-art checkpoint in Newark – New York’s premier trans-Atlantic gateway – continues our commitment to use the latest technology to improve the airport experience for our customers.”