Next generation airport tech making travel faster & safer

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Transportation Security Administration said it’s been a busy record-breaking travel season this summer– the perfect time for updated technology to make travel easier, faster and safer.

According to TSA, it set a single-day record nationally on Sunday, July 7, when over three million people were screened through security checkpoints at airports nationwide.

At Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, there was a 4.7% increase in departing travelers during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.

If Credential Authentication Technology is in use at the entrance to the security checkpoint,
no boarding pass is needed. Travelers will need to present only their photo ID to the TSA officer.
TSA is using CAT units in all security checkpoints at HNL. Fliers who are 17 years or younger will still need a boarding pass.

HNL is the only airport in Hawaii using the latest generation of CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, which use facial recognition technology to verify the identity of travelers. CAT-2 compares the traveler’s photo on their government-issued ID against an in-person, real-time photo. Once the unit confirms a match, a TSA officer will verify it and the traveler can proceed to security screening.

“It is always optional. People are not required to have their picture taken to come through the checkpoint, but there’s also no way for TSA to store that photo,” stated TSA Spokesperson, Lorie Dankers.

These upgrades allow airport security to stay ahead of any potential danger, especially when it comes to detecting fake IDs, passports and other fraudulent documents.

CAT-2’s will roll out to other airports in the state by September or October, according to airport officials.

TSA at HNL has one computed tomography X-ray scanner, which creates an enhanced 3D image of the contents of a traveler’s belongings. Individuals will be advised to leave everything including laptops and other electronics in their bags. Kaui there are some airports that are fully outfitted with CT scanners. The Lihue Airport on Kauai is fully outfitted with CT scanners.

“For our officers, that additional visibility allows them to go ahead and resolve any potential security threats on screen while they’re in the checkpoint without having to open that bag,” said Dankers.

Airport officials said explosives’ are the greatest threat to air travel.

“We’ve had an uptick in dangerous items that we have found recently in our air specifically,” stated Nanea Vasta, Federal Security Director. “We’ve had some great catches, including two grenades as well as multiple firearms in the last couple of weeks.”

Those going through the security checkpoints can also expect to find trained dogs screening passengers for traces of explosives.

“We have these types of explosive detection canines both in Honolulu and on Maui. They often will support special events like Super Bowl, Indy 500, pick of those large events where you’ll have thousands of people,” said Dankers.