--- title: "Airport Landside Security Screening" type: "Use case" date: "2026-10-20" updated: "2026-11-03" description: "As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. And while airside security has increased significantly in the wake of attacks, landside security has lagged behind—despite attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul. People can usually enter airports without encountering much in the way of security measures." url: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports" canonical: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports" markdown_url: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports.md" site: "Apstec" publisher: "Apstec Systems (Apstec Sweden AB (publ))" contact: "info@apstecsystems.com" language: "en-US" breadcrumbs: - "Home: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/" - "News, Articles & Case Studies: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news" - "Airport Landside Security Screening: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports" reading_time_minutes: 7 --- # Airport Landside Security Screening *Use case · October 20, 2026 · 7 min read* > As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. And while airside security has increased significantly in the wake of attacks, landside security has lagged behind—despite attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul. People can usually enter airports without encountering much in the way of security measures. _Use case_ ## Airport Landside Security Screening As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. [Book a demo](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/contact?choose=Book%20a%20demo) [How Apstec helps](#solution) ![Travellers in a bright airport check-in hall](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvtv63io-c4l1ampa.webp) _The challenge_ ### Landside security has lagged behind As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. And while airside security has increased significantly in the wake of attacks, landside security has lagged behind—despite attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul. People can usually enter airports without encountering much in the way of security measures. At entrances to airport terminals, using traditional checkpoint security processes that scan one individual at a time, is often impractical, inconvenient, unreliable, and expensive to operate. In addition it can cause secondary vulnerabilities by creating lines outside the entrance. As a result, security at terminal entrances was limited or non-existent, and time and time again has failed to act as a deterrent for terrorists. - **Where:** Landside arrivals and departures halls, at the entry into the terminal - **Threats:** Explosive threats and automatic firearms - **Product:** Apstec HSR - **Flow:** Screens without interrupting the crowd flow _The solution_ ### Screening at the entry into the terminal Apstec®’s Human Security Radar® (HSR™) delivers the capability to screen people for explosive threats and automatic firearms. HSR™ offers the opportunity for Airports to significantly mitigate the risk of terrorism in landside arrivals and departures. HSR™ does this by screening people for threat items at the entry into the terminal. HSR™ can enhance Airport security and at the same time have a positive effect on airport operations and the entire passenger experience. HSR™ screens people entering landside public spaces for explosive threats and automatic firearms without the need to interrupt the crowd flow. HSR™ is not screening for small threat items that may pose a threat to the safety of an aircraft in flight, which is the purpose of pre-departures screening, but is protecting people in landside areas from terrorist attack. It is another layer of airport security and offers a solution to mitigating the risk of terrorism in arrival and departure halls where a capability gap currently exists. [Read about HSR](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/hsr) [Book a demo](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/contact?choose=Book%20a%20demo) ![A traveller walking through screening portals in a terminal](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvrtlyuy-cd938yz0.webp) - **6,000** — people / hour — screened by HSR at the terminal entrance - **1** — HSR system — and a handful of staff resolve the alerts for 5,000 people an hour - **15** — search lanes — and at least 35 staff for the same with traditional security _The challenge_ ### Why traditional checkpoints fail at the entrance Traditional security at airports and other crowded areas is slow, disruptive, a poor experience, high contact, high density and high cost. - Queues are a target — It generates queues of people waiting for screening, and these people are vulnerable targets for an attacker. - Large numbers of staff — Traditional security needs large numbers of security staff, making it an exorbitant affair. - A capability gap — Landside arrivals and departures halls have lacked screening that fits the crowd flow. _How it works_ ### HSR at the entry into the terminal HSR uses several complementary technologies to detect pure explosive materials, improvised explosive devices, firearms and bladed weapons, and allows people to flow through it freely. #### 01 Free flow _No queue, no divesting_ There is no requirement to remove coats or bags or empty pockets of metallic items. HSR screens while people walk through. #### 02 Automatic, real-time alerts _To a responder_ It alerts in real time, sending a photographic image of the person of interest and the approximate location of the possible threat item to a responder, who directs the person to secondary screening. #### 03 Complementary technologies _Radio waves and metal detection_ HSR analyzes reflected radio waves to assess the nature of a material, and uses metal detection to identify metallic weapons and bomb components on the body or in bags. #### 04 Permanent or pop-up _Part of a deterrence strategy_ Some deploy it widely and permanently, others in response to an increase in threat levels or the risks of specific events. #### 05 With behavioural detection _A potent combination_ Responders quickly get used to how people move through the system, so suspicious behaviour stands out. _For the airport_ ### Another layer of airport security HSR is not screening for small items that threaten an aircraft in flight; it protects people in landside areas from terrorist attack. ![Passengers walking through a busy terminal hall](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvu37zuq-n4okulmp.webp) - Fewer staff — One system and a handful of security staff respond to and resolve the alerts. - A better passenger experience — No queue and no divesting at the terminal entrance. - Business as usual — Getting the public into the terminal quickly, rather than held up in queues. - Simple to run — Having switched on the system, the rest is automatic; alerts are specific and clear, so the training burden is low. > Designed specifically with crowded places in mind, HSR has a uniquely high throughput, removes the need to queue and to divest, allows the free flow of people, and offers a good security experience. > > — Stephen Cooper OBE, COO, Apstec Systems, to asmag.com _Products_ ### Our products [Compare them all](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/products#compare) - _Weapons, Explosives & Narcotics_ — Falcon — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/falcon)) - Millimeter Wave - Passive Magnetometry - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Weapons, Explosives & Narcotics_ — Falcon Plus — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/falcon-plus)) - Millimeter Wave - Active Induction Balance - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Metallic Threats_ — Merlin — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/merlin)) - Active Induction Balance - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Weapons & Explosives_ — HSR — 6000 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/hsr)) - Millimeter Wave - Passive Magnetometry - Indoor - Fixed installation _Questions_ ### Screening at airports Something else? Write to [info@apstecsystems.com](mailto:info@apstecsystems.com) or call [+46 8 525 130 65](tel:+46852513065). #### Why are airports hard to secure? At entrances to airport terminals, using traditional checkpoint security processes that scan one individual at a time, is often impractical, inconvenient, unreliable, and expensive to operate. In addition it can cause secondary vulnerabilities by creating lines outside the entrance. As a result, security at terminal entrances was limited or non-existent, and time and time again has failed to act as a deterrent for terrorists. #### How does Apstec screen at airports? Apstec®’s Human Security Radar® (HSR™) delivers the capability to screen people for explosive threats and automatic firearms. HSR™ offers the opportunity for Airports to significantly mitigate the risk of terrorism in landside arrivals and departures. HSR™ does this by screening people for threat items at the entry into the terminal. HSR™ can enhance Airport security and at the same time have a positive effect on airport operations and the entire passenger experience. HSR™ screens people entering landside public spaces for explosive threats and automatic firearms without the need to interrupt the crowd flow. HSR™ is not screening for small threat items that may pose a threat to the safety of an aircraft in flight, which is the purpose of pre-departures screening, but is protecting people in landside areas from terrorist attack. It is another layer of airport security and offers a solution to mitigating the risk of terrorism in arrival and departure halls where a capability gap currently exists. #### Which Apstec products suit airports? Apstec HSR screens people entering landside public spaces for explosive threats and automatic firearms, without interrupting the crowd flow. _Use cases_ ### Where else Apstec screens [All use cases](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/use-cases) - Airports — Oct 20, 2026 — As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. And while airside security has increased significantly in the wake of attacks, landside security has lagged behind—despite attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul. People can usually enter airports without encountering much in the way of security measures. ([Airports](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports)) - Stadiums — Oct 19, 2026 — Stadiums, as large gathering places, present a complex array of security challenges. These challenges stem from the sheer volume of people, the emotional intensity of events, and the potential for malicious intent. ([Stadiums](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/stadiums)) - Customs — Oct 18, 2026 — Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical. ([Customs](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs)) - Mass Transportation — Oct 17, 2026 — Railway stations, metro systems, bus terminals and other land transport hubs are among the most challenging environments to secure. They are designed to move thousands of people quickly and efficiently, making traditional checkpoint-based security both impractical and disruptive. ([Mass Transportation](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/mass-transportation)) - Maritime — Oct 16, 2026 — Effective security screening measures on cruise ships and within port facilities are essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, crew, and the vessels themselves. Robust maritime security screening measures act as a crucial deterrent against terrorism, the smuggling of illegal substances and weapons, and other potential criminal activities. ([Maritime](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/maritime)) - Expos & Conferences — Oct 15, 2026 — In an era where security incidents in public places are a growing concern, exhibition, conference, and trade fair organizers are increasingly looking to adopt innovative solutions to ensure the safety of their visitors and exhibitors while at the same time providing a smooth and speedy entry experience to the venue. ([Expos & Conferences](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/exhibitions-conferences)) - Hotels — Oct 14, 2026 — Guests at high-end hotels, expect a premium hotel experience, seamless luxury, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere—all while feeling safe and secure. However, hotels can be high-profile targets for criminals and terrorists due to their public accessibility and large number of visitors. ([Hotels](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/hotels)) - Tourist Attractions & Iconic Landmarks — Oct 13, 2026 — Tourist attractions and landmark buildings present a unique set of security challenges. Because of their accessibility and symbolic value, such sites are often considered “soft targets” and potentially attractive targets for terrorist attacks. ([Tourist Attractions & Iconic Landmarks](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/tourist-attractions-iconic-landmarks)) ## How to cite Apstec Systems (Apstec Sweden AB (publ)). “Airport Landside Security Screening”. Apstec, 2026-10-20. https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports (accessed ). ## Company & contact - **Company:** Apstec Systems — legal entity Apstec Sweden AB (publ) - **Apstec Sweden AB (publ):** Strandvägen 7A, 114 56 Stockholm, Sweden ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Strandv%C3%A4gen+7A%2C+114+56+Stockholm%2C+Sweden)) - **General enquiries:** [info@apstecsystems.com](mailto:info@apstecsystems.com) - **Phone:** +46 8 525 130 65 --- [View on site](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports) · [All News, Articles & Case Studies](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news.md) · [Site index for agents (llms.txt)](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/llms.txt)