The new system
Photo: Gideon Markovich
New system for Eilat-flight security screening
The traditional questioning at the airport for flights bound to and from Israel's southernmost city is about to be replaced with a computerized system.
A new system developed by the Israel Airports Authority will make it unnecessary to question passengers on domestic flights to and from Eilat.
Immediately after Passover, a pilot will be launched using the new system to examine all its operational and technological aspects, ahead of its full operation at the airport in Eilat, Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport and at Sde Dov.
The new system (Photo: Gideon Markovich)
The new system is basically a kiosk similar to the one that exists in the border control when leaving Israel for biometric passports, but it is not connected to that database. The registration for use in the system is one-time and is voluntary. Passengers who elect to register will answer a few identification questions and present ID, and their particulars will then be stamped on a magnetic card that will be issued to them.
On future visits, upon arriving at the airport, they swipe the card, face the machine that matches the details on the magnetic card to the passenger’s face and answer two questions on the screen: “Do you have a weapon?” and “Do you have any luggage to check?” If the answer to both questions is negative, the passenger will continue to the desk agents to check in for the flight.
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Photo: Gideon Markovich)
The Israel Airports Authority notes that the new service will make it easier for passengers traveling regularly to and from Eilat for work, business or medical treatment, and will prevent unnecessary delays. Every year, over 1.5 million passengers pass through the various domestic airports.
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, who inaugurated the system, lauded it as both efficient and maintaining a high level of security.
(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)
