Airport News - North America.

Dec 18, 2006

New technology targets shoe removal slowdown in airports. The government has approved a scanner that can search shoes for contraband without them first being removed. For the time being, however, the system is likely to be reserved for participants in the Registered Traveler program. The Air Transport Association is opposed to the program, arguing that it will deliver little benefit, and that airlines already offer special security lines to their top customers. Dec 13, 2006

Officials to increase funding for shoulder-fired missiles. DHS will double spending this year on efforts to counter shoulder-fired missiles. Officials believe the threat is growing because more of the systems are showing up on the black market. Northrop Grumman has designed ground-based technology to counter the missiles. Each unit now costs $150 million, but large-scale production could bring that down to $30 million. Dec 11, 2006

Los Angeles Airport

Radar upgrades at Los Angeles airport behind schedule. Several radar upgrades at Los Angeles International Airport originally slated to be in place this year are months behind schedule. Air traffic controllers say the equipment is essential to prevent potential collisions on the ground. The FAA attributed the delays in the ASDE-X system at LAX to construction at other airports that required the agency to install the equipment at those facilities first. Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman, emphasizes that the current runway safety equipment at LAX is not "insufficient in any way. Given the scope and complexity of what we're doing, it's inevitable that delays will occasionally occur." Dec 11, 2006

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Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Dec 11, 2006