The airport will install 62 units of the ultraviolet cleaning equipment in its efforts to enable safer travel

Narita International, Japan’s busiest airport, has announced that it will partner with Smiths Detection to introduce UV light tray disinfection equipment into the facilities’ security checkpoints, across its three terminals by March 2022.

Susumu Kitabayashi, senior manager for airport security, said: “To best prepare for the resumption of international air travel, we are taking various measures to stay ahead of the curve and safeguard passenger health. This includes installing automatic UV light disinfection kits to disinfect security trays. The kit is proven to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses including coronaviruses, protecting passengers and staff from tactile transmission of contagious diseases.”

The facility was the first in Japan to receive international certification for implementing Covid-19 counter infection measures through Airport Health Accreditation implemented by Airport Council International.

Aurelian Guilbert, managing director North Asia, Smiths Detection, added: “Narita Airport has been a forerunner in introducing technologies in its operations and security processes and we are confident that with the latest installations, passengers travelling though the airport will feel safe and assured in this uncertain time.”

In addition to the Covid-19 specific measures, the Japanese hub has also invested in checkpoint and hold baggage solutions such as CT scanners for baggage, full body scanners and a remote screening and operations management platform to help ease traffic, reduce passenger wait times, cut down on touch points and streamline security processes.

Earlier this month, Smiths Detection announced that it has been trialling UVC automatic tray disinfection solution at Paris/Charles de Gaulle Airport since September 2020.