New United States airport queue-busting scanners eyed by the Civil Aviation Authority

In the US lines through airport security can get long. Photo / Supplied

New airport 3D scanners being rolled out in the United States to cut notoriously long lines are being monitored by aviation security officials here.

In the US, CT 3D checkpoint scanners are being introduced to scan carry-on baggage after a successful trial last year.

In New Zealand, the Civil Aviation Authority said it was aware of the new technology.

''We will be closely monitoring the results of those trials to inform longer term decision making about potential concepts and developments for the screening of passengers and carry on baggage in New Zealand,'' a spokeswoman said.

Last year American Airlines and Analogic Corporation launched a trial and said the use of Computed tomography (CT) technology could allow passengers to leave liquids, gels and aerosols, as well as laptops, in their carry-on bags at all times.

This results in less emptying of bags into bins and therefore quicker processing.

The new CT screening equipment shoots hundreds of images with an X-ray camera that spins around the conveyor belt to provide officers with a picture of a carry-on bag and applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of banned items.

The CT 3D scanner has been used for years in medicine to primarily examine a patient's body for cancerous tumours.

American Airlines has donated eight of the CT 3D scanners to the Transport Safety Administration.

Each scanner costs nearly $400,000.

Testing of the scanners in the US started in 2017 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and in the international flights terminal at Boston Logan International Airport.

Results had been ''so positive'' that installation of additional units was planned, SeatGuru reported.

Forty more scanners would be introduced at airports in cities around the United States including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington.

The TSA has already used the technology on checked luggage for years, but previously the machines were too big and heavy to install at many checkpoints.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport introduced the technology in March.