FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Aaron Batt Carl Olson
Department of Homeland Security Central Illinois Regional Airport
Transportation Security Administration at Bloomington-Normal
Phone – 309 663 8033 Phone – 309 663 7384
Tuesday, December 12, 2006…. The Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal will be the first airport in the region to receive three new pieces of advanced explosive detection equipment designed to enhance security and shorten the time period for the screening checked baggage. This new equipment is being provided by the Transportation Security Administration as a part of a new program to deploy this technology at small to medium size airports.
These next generation Explosive Detections System (EDS) units will replace current equipment in the ticket counter area of the terminal building and will be able to process up to 125 pieces of baggage per hour – more than twice as fast as the current technology in place. Named the CT-80, and manufactured by Reveal Technologies from Bedford, Massachusetts, these advanced units incorporate both Computed Tomography (CT) technology and Dual Energy CT technology. While significantly smaller than existing EDS units, the CT-80 is able to screen 100 percent of all checked baggage without requiring major modifications to terminal or consuming large amounts of terminal lobby space.
"These new machines will provide Central Illinois with the most up to date equipment available for screening checked luggage "said Aaron Batt, Federal Security Director for the region, "The traveling public will appreciate the quicker process at the ticket counter."
"We are pleased to be the recipients of this new technology," said Paul Harmon, Chairman of the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority. "With passenger traffic more than 13 percent above last year’s level, our customers will benefit from this new more efficient equipment as the airlines and TSA personnel will be able to process passengers and their luggage faster without sacrificing safety. We thank our local TSA officials for procuring this equipment for the Central Illinois Regional Airport."
The total cost for acquisition/installation of these new units is estimated to be above $1.0 million dollars, with the TSA underwriting the cost of this project. These units will arrive at the airport later this month and are expected to be put into service in January.
"This has been another cooperative effort between the TSA and CIRA," said Carl Olson, Executive Director of the Central Illinois Regional Airport. "Working together we are finding solutions that enhance both security and convenience for our customers."
Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal offers travelers competitively priced fares via five airlines with service on AirTran Airways, American Eagle, Delta Connection, Northwest Airlink, and United Express. The fastest growing non-hub airport in the United Sates in the late 1990’s, the airport is on pace to exceed all previous passenger traffic numbers in calendar year 2006.
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