Melbourne’s Avalon Airport Adapts to Pandemic With Touchless Security

Coronavirus has changed the way we do things all across the world. From digital health passports to resort bubbles, there are countless ways that the world of travel has been affected. It seems there is another big change on the horizon, and it begins with Australia. Avalon Airport in Melbourne, Victoria is eliminating the traditional process of screening and security and replacing it with computerised tomography.

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Melbourne’s Avalon Airport Changing Security For Good

We all know that the most dreaded part of taking a flight is the long security lines and lugging out liquids and electronics while trying to be efficient and fast. With COVID-19 still floating on around the world, the need for a more touchless security flow is more important now than ever. Avalon Airport computerised tomography may have a solution for a smoother, safer and more hygienic way of security screenings. Computerised tomography is really just a fancy way of saying something that can detect objects in the same way an x-ray machine does. This technology will eliminate the need to take out laptops, tablets and mobiles while going through security. It not only makes for a more streamlined process, it also lessens touch and makes social distancing easier.

Avalon Airport Has Utilised the Lockdown to Implement Additional Safe Practices

Avalon Airport, which also happens to be the second busiest airport in Victoria, has utilised the lockdown period to implement other safe practises. They’ve introduced touchless check-in and bag drop systems to curb down on heavy touch points where the virus could easily spread. Additionally, they’ve implemented an option to scan in and out of the airport. This is so travellers can be contact traced if necessary.

Aaron Hornlimann, CEO of Elenium Automation stated that these changes are only the beginning. He noted that another significant change coming will be on the flights themselves.
“There will be no more seat-back pockets,” … “Safety cards and food menus will be displayed on the seat-back screens and accessible digitally via your phone.” he told news.com.au
He also mentioned the possibility of digital toilets with regulated ques. Additionally, there will be UV lights that disinfect the space between bathroom visits.

If all goes well with Avalon, the innovation of touchless technologies will inevitably spread to the rest of the world. Other airports have battled the need for more hygienic processes in their own way already. Air Canada is now using touchless bag checks on all domestic flights. Similarly, Japan Airlines has recently begun a trial of completely touchless check-in tech at Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Melanie Hamilton

Melanie is an avid traveller with a passion for history and global foods. She is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia where most of her time is occupied with qvevri wine and Soviet history. Having do-si-do'd her way across Europe and Latin America, she's enjoyed some of the world's most exciting places firsthand and can't wait to tell you about them.

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