What should an airport ask first when selecting checkpoint screening equipment?

Ask which certifications are already achieved for your jurisdiction and lane type, and what the realistic lead time is for installation and acceptance. Then ask for uptime references from comparable traffic volumes.

How can airports reduce false alarms without weakening detection quality?

Prioritize systems with proven automated detection and clear operator workflows, then validate performance during a live pilot. Also insist on retraining and tuning plans after go live, not just day one settings.

What are the biggest integration pitfalls in airport security upgrades?

Legacy systems often have mismatched data formats, old network designs, and unclear ownership across airport and airline teams. A single integration owner and a phased cutover plan usually prevent operational surprises.

How should airports evaluate biometric solutions responsibly?

Confirm opt out handling, data retention limits, and how identity proofing is done before enrollment. Also test throughput during peak periods because small delays at the camera create large queues.

What is the best way to approach airport cybersecurity for connected security systems?

Start with segmentation and monitored remote access, then add continuous vulnerability management for security lanes and control rooms. Require incident response commitments in contracts, including recovery time objectives.

When does outsourcing screening services make sense for an airport operator?

It can help when staffing pipelines are unstable or when an operator wants predictable service levels under a managed contract. Success depends on strong training governance and clear accountability for incident handling.

Top Airport Security Companies - Key Players & More

Smiths Detection Group Ltd. (Smiths Group plc)

High throughput checkpoint upgrades drive Smiths Detection Group Ltd.'s strength, supported by a leading vendor position in CT based cabin bag screening. In 2024, Smiths advanced AI assisted detection through its work with SeeTrue, aligning with tighter certification expectations and staffing constraints. 2025 wins at Dubai and Fukuoka show it can deliver compact CT and lane automation into space limited terminals with minimal disruption. If liquid rules relax unevenly by region, its operational risk is product mix timing, but its installed base supports resilient service pull through.

Leaders

Rapiscan Systems, Inc. (OSI Systems, Inc.)

Recent airport orders point to steady demand for its integrated checkpoint and cargo screening sets, reinforced by a major OEM footprint. In 2025, OSI's Security division cited a USD 36.0 million aviation award in the Middle East, combining CT checkpoint screening with tray return and lifecycle support. A similar 2024 order signals repeatability across both cabin and hold baggage needs when buyers want one service partner. If certification cycles extend, the main downside is slower revenue conversion, yet its broad portfolio helps keep bids viable across terminal and cargo zones.

Leaders

Leidos, Inc.

Scale in US checkpoint operations support is hard to match, and the company's leading service provider role shows up most clearly in fleet sustainment. In January 2025, Leidos described an eight-year contract with a ceiling of USD 2.6 billion to maintain 12,000 TSA deployed units across more than 430 airport locations. Its 2023 work to upgrade AIT algorithms for lower false alarms supports a practical traveler experience gain while maintaining detection rigor. If airport operators push more self service lanes, Leidos benefits, but the operational risk is dependence on federal budgeting stability.

Leaders

Thales Group

Cybersecurity and digital identity form the center of Thales's airport security strategy, backed by a top brand standing with regulators and large operators. In 2024 it received recognition in airport focused cybersecurity, underscoring its emphasis on protecting connected airport systems as operations shift toward cloud and centralized oversight. Its biometric journey messaging also aligns with One ID style programs that reduce manual checks and congestion in terminals. If privacy rules tighten suddenly, Thales is better positioned than many peers, yet deployment risk remains integration complexity across many legacy subsystems.

Leaders

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Passenger scanning ergonomics can materially raise throughput, and a respected engineering firm has built credibility through visible airport deployments. In 2024, Fraport announced a contract to install over 100 Rohde & Schwarz passenger scanners at Frankfurt Airport, reflecting confidence in detection performance and lane operations. If airports adopt walk through scanning more broadly, Rohde & Schwarz benefits from first mover trust with regulators. The key risk is managing multi year rollouts without disruption, since airports will not tolerate downtime at peak travel times.

Leaders

Honeywell International, Inc.

Fire life safety modernization is a clear entry point, and Honeywell's major supplier position carries weight with airport facilities teams. In 2025, Honeywell was selected for a large fire alarm upgrade at Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4, including updated visualization through its building management tooling. If terminal refurbishments rise rapidly and bundle safety, access, and operational dashboards in one scope, that scenario could expand Honeywell's opportunities. The main weakness is that checkpoint screening is not its core, so airport specific product cadence can lag faster moving threat detection specialists.

Established

Siemens AG

Mobile credentials and access control are increasingly tied to staff throughput and sterile area integrity, where a top conglomerate can still be very relevant. In 2025, Siemens announced Apple Wallet integration for its Building X Security Manager, signaling a push toward smoother badge issuance and controlled entry flows. If airports accelerate touchless staff access, Siemens can ride building modernization budgets rather than security equipment cycles. The key risk is slower execution when airport programs require specialized qualification and around the clock cutover, which can strain delivery partners and customer patience.

Established

SITA

Operational data and identity interoperability are central to modern airport control rooms, and SITA's widely used software position gives it access to many decision makers. In late 2024, SITA and IDEMIA announced collaboration that combines computer vision with baggage operations, reinforcing a direction toward more automated exception handling in busy terminals. If airports consolidate platforms, SITA can gain from integration budgets, yet the practical risk is delivery scope creep when legacy baggage and security systems vary by terminal and airline mix.

Established

IDEMIA

Credential verification and biometric journeys sit at the center of checkpoint modernization, where IDEMIA's leading company status shows up in large public sector deployments. In 2023, IDEMIA said it was selected to provide TSA's next generation Credential Authentication Technology with a contract ceiling of USD 128.0 million. In 2024, it pointed to over one million passengers processed using its biometric solutions at Zayed International Airport, indicating real throughput performance in live operations. The main risk is policy swings on biometrics, which can force redesign of user consent and data retention processes.

Established

KEENINFINITY (Robert Bosch GmbH)

Ownership change is reshaping priorities, which may unlock faster product investment for airports that want refreshed video and access stacks. In July 2025, Keenfinity confirmed completion of the sale from Bosch and described a plan to operate as an independent business with well known brands under one roof. A plausible upside is quicker roadmap decisions for analytics, intrusion, and communications that fit perimeter and terminal needs. The main operational risk is transition friction, since rebranding and entity changes can slow procurement approvals even when underlying products remain stable.

Performers

Teledyne FLIR LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)

Perimeter detection in poor weather remains a practical driver, where a recognized sensor specialist can win on performance rather than breadth. In 2025, FLIR highlighted multi layered perimeter approaches combining thermal, visible, radar, and analytics, which maps well to runway and fence line operating realities. If drone threats force wider adoption of long range sensing, FLIR's strengths translate directly into airport perimeter refresh cycles. Execution risk is integration burden, since buyers often demand a unified operator view and strong cyber hardening across many third party systems.

Performers

Senstar Corp

Perimeter programs often fail due to nuisance alarms, so a focused perimeter company can differentiate through practical alarm reduction and software driven correlation. In its 2025 earnings discussion, Senstar highlighted growth tied to airport perimeter security needs alongside other critical infrastructure verticals. If airports treat fence line sensing as part of a broader command platform refresh, Senstar's upside improves because it can sell sensors plus management software. The risk is lumpy project timing, since perimeter upgrades are often bundled into capital programs that slip when terminal priorities change.

Performers

Collins Aerospace (RTX Corporation)

Passenger processing systems increasingly touch security workflows, but a major supplier must manage resilience as a first order requirement. RTX noted 2025 enhancements to Collins SelfServ and links to biometric enrollment through SelfPass, connecting identity steps from check in toward security and boarding. A 2025 ransomware related disruption affecting an airport operations system highlights a sharp operational risk that can slow adoption of connected platforms. If airports demand stronger recovery guarantees, Collins can respond, but sales cycles may lengthen as buyers scrutinize cyber assurances.

Aspirants

NEC Corporation

Airport biometrics demand high throughput with strong accuracy, and a major vendor can still be constrained by deployment governance and public acceptance. NEC reported a 2025 order from Japan's Immigration Services Agency for walkthrough gates using face recognition to streamline airport arrival procedures. It also described a 2024 system aimed at identifying people while in motion, which fits crowded airport environments where stopping passengers is costly. If opt out expectations expand, NEC must design flexible flows that preserve speed without appearing coercive, or adoption could stall.

Aspirants

Nuctech Technology Co., Ltd.

Geopolitics and procurement scrutiny now shape outcomes as much as product specs, creating a difficult environment for a large Chinese supplier. In December 2025, Reuters reported an EU foreign subsidies investigation into Nuctech tied to concerns over unfair advantages in security and inspection technologies used at ports and airports. If the investigation expands, a realistic downside is delayed awards or retrofits driven by governance requirements rather than detection needs. Nuctech's near term execution risk is not engineering capacity, but buyer willingness to accept long term compliance and data assurance burdens.

Aspirants

Garrett Electronics Inc.

Walk through detection remains a baseline layer at many checkpoints, and a specialist metal detector maker can win when certification is the gating factor. In September 2025, Garrett's Paragon walkthrough detector was reported as achieving ECAC Standard 2.1 certification, a meaningful hurdle for European deployments. If staffing shortages persist, airports may favor systems that reduce secondary screening fatigue, yet the commercial risk is that airports may prioritize CT lane spend over metal detection refreshes. Garrett's durability story helps, but procurement timing can be uneven.

Aspirants

ICTS Europe S.A.

Service quality and compliance discipline are often the difference between good technology and good outcomes, which supports ICTS as an experienced screening contractor. ICTS described new and expanded aviation security service contracts in 2024 and 2025 across several European locations, including seasonal and multi year arrangements tied to airline routes and airport operators. If airports outsource more functions, ICTS can grow, but execution risk is labor availability and consistent training during peak seasons. Any public incident would create outsized reputational damage, so process control is a core strength and a constant pressure.

Aspirants

Hart Security Limited

Complex environment aviation support is the core positioning, and a specialist risk firm tends to win where buyers value training and governance as much as equipment. Hart Security DMCC is positioned as a risk management provider with aviation security offerings and multi region reach, which can matter for airports operating in higher threat locations. If regulators tighten security culture expectations, Hart can gain from advisory and training demand. The operational weakness is that outcomes depend heavily on local staffing quality and client coordination, so results can vary more than with standardized hardware deployments.

Aspirants

Airport Security Companies: Leaders, Top & Emerging Players and Strategic Moves

Top 5 Airport Security Companies

Airport Security Companies Matrix by Mordor Intelligence

MI Competitive Matrix for Airport Security

Analysis of Airport Security Companies and Quadrants in the MI Competitive Matrix

Smiths Detection Group Ltd. (Smiths Group plc)

Rapiscan Systems, Inc. (OSI Systems, Inc.)

Leidos, Inc.

Thales Group

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Honeywell International, Inc.

Siemens AG

SITA

IDEMIA

KEENINFINITY (Robert Bosch GmbH)

Teledyne FLIR LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)

Senstar Corp

Collins Aerospace (RTX Corporation)

NEC Corporation

Nuctech Technology Co., Ltd.

Garrett Electronics Inc.

ICTS Europe S.A.

Hart Security Limited

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology

Analysis of Leading Airport Security Companies