The US Transportation Security istration (TSA) – part of the US Department of Homeland Security – and Viracopos International Airport (V) inaugurated today, during a ceremony in Viracopos, operations with new security inspection equipment for access to international boarding.
The event was attended by representatives of the US Consulate General in São Paulo, the TSA, the US Embassy in Brazil, ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency), SAC (Civil Aviation Secretariat) and the Federal Police, in addition to the CEO of Viracopos, Gustavo Müssnich, the airport's operations director, Marco Beme, and of the Board of Directors of the concessionaire Aeroportos Brasil Viracopos.
Access points for boarding and international connections at Viracopos now operate with state-of-the-art equipment, raising screening standards and the level of security at the airport.
The $2 million grant was funded by the State Department’s Counterterrorism Agency and facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice, under the supervision and approval of Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SAC).
Equipment includes the latest dual-view x-ray technologies, imaging scanner (AIT – body scanners) and explosive trace detection (ETD), as well as training for agents.
The project aims to increase aviation security, mitigate risks and reinforce the strong partnership between the United States and Brazil. The new equipment is similar to that used by the TSA at U.S. airports. It will make screening more efficient, ensuring a better travel experience for engers.
Viracopos is the first airport in South America to receive a donation of this magnitude for screening equipment. The newly inaugurated layout at the checkpoint provides an additional layer of security for the global aviation industry and ensures the safe transportation of people and goods.
“The start of operations with this new equipment at Viracopos represents a milestone for international civil aviation in Brazil and demonstrates the importance of the partnership with the United States. Although our country has a high level of adherence to international standards, from now on we have one of the best airports equipped with the most modern equipment, which will certainly reflect in the improvement of rules and procedures, contributing to the entire Brazilian air transport sector,” said Viracopos Operations Director Marco Beme.
“On behalf of Aeroportos Brasil Viracopos, I would like to thank the United States Government for its trust in Viracopos Airport and the US Transportation Security istration (TSA) for supervising and conducting the project,” added the Director of Operations.
History
The memorandum of understanding for the donation of security equipment to the airport was signed in September 2022 between the TSA and Viracopos International Airport. The g event was attended by representatives of the United States Consulate General in São Paulo, the TSA, the Concessionária Aeroportos Brasil Viracopos and the Federal Police.
About the equipment:
Body Scanner – PV2
This system does not use X-rays, and data is collected by reading the reflections of millimeter waves on the skin. The equipment detects all objects, not just metal.
ProVision radio waves are low-power and non-invasive. The power level is significantly lower than other commercial devices that generate radio frequency energy, such as cordless phones and microwave ovens, for example.
The equipment has important automatic detection features and a processing capacity of 200 to 300 people/hour. The scanning time is 1,5 seconds.
Explosives detector
The B220 is a real-time explosive and narcotic trace detector. It is designed to detect the presence of traces of explosives and narcotics on a surface, which can be clothing, packages, computers, hands, among others.
The B220 detects explosive vapors in parts per trillion (ppt) and explosive particles in the nanogram range. Trace particle contamination begins with the handling or packaging of explosives or narcotics. The handler becomes contaminated. Anything he or she encounters becomes contaminated.
To put this in perspective, less than half a drop of oil in a supertanker containing six million gallons of oil would comprise about one part per trillion (or 1 second in nearly 32.000 years).
Double vision x-ray
The PX640DV provides high-quality images of explosives, weapons, drugs and other objects hidden in items inside luggage.
X-ray also screens plastic bags, briefcases, backpacks, packages of various shapes and other small to medium-sized hand-carried objects. High-definition images and color-coded material discrimination help operators visually detect a range of threats and items of interest, including weapons and narcotics.
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