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Airport Authority Receives $4 Million TSA Grant For State-of-the-Art Baggage Screening Equipment

Dépèche transmise le 16 septembre 2009 par Business Wire

Airport Authority Receives $4 Million TSA Grant For State-of-the-Art Baggage Screening Equipment

WEST BAY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Panama City – Bay County International Airport Authority today announced that it has been awarded a Transportation Security Administration grant of $4,054,600 for a new Checked Baggage Inspection System at the new airport now under construction.

The grant also will be used for subsequent modifications needed for TSA to install an Explosive Detection system. Panama City – Bay County International Airport is among the 20 percent of U.S. airports to receive the new system.

This state-of-the-art security equipment is designed to enhance screening capabilities and airport safety and also facilitate customer service. Construction of the $318 million airport began in January 2008 and is scheduled to open in late May 2010.

“This technology will strengthen security and streamline the baggage screening process,” said Federal Security Director Steve Earnest. “This baggage handling system will better enable Panama City – Bay County International Airport to detect explosives and other threats while allowing for the growth of the new airport.”

“We’re thrilled that the TSA has selected the new airport as one of the U.S. airports to receive this sophisticated baggage screening technology,” said Airport Executive Director Randy Curtis. “This system will certainly help us accommodate additional airlines, including low-cost carriers, and large body international charter flights.”

When completed, the main terminal will feature 100 percent inline screening, greatly improving airport efficiency. The new technology will improve workplace safety for TSA employees by automating the baggage screening process, eliminating the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location and waiting for it to be cleared before proceeding to the security checkpoint. The enhanced explosive detection technology also will provide on-screen viewing capabilities for TSA officers conducting baggage screenings and reduce the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.

For more information about the new Panama City – Bay County International Airport, visit www.newpcairport.com.