Market Trends of Europe Security Screening Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Security Screening Market according to our research experts:
Airports are Expected to Hold Major Share
- The security coverage across the airports is of utmost importance, and the spending on enhancing airport security in the European region is on the rise. A prominent share of the expenditure is expected to incorporate new technologies in both hardware and software. Airports in the region are highly regulated and require upgraded technological solutions in screening. With continuous developments and upgrades, the demand for screening solutions in this space may increase significantly.
- Europe has some of the largest airports handling vast volumes of freight on a daily basis. For instance, freight segments of airports in Germany witnessed positive growth in recent years. The increasing air transport freight is expected to provide ample opportunities for the security scanning market in Germany. Munich International Airport in Germany uses Morpho's CTX 9800 explosive detection system for baggage screening. This computed tomography-based system is used to screen baggage for selected high-risk flights.
- Due to the growing threat of identity theft, the use of biometrics is being used to enhance across borders. Presently, the region's conservative governments are focusing its efforts on introducing a biometric-based border control policy. For instance, in September 2019, Gatwick became the United Kingdom's first airport to confirm its decision to use facial-recognition cameras permanently for ID checks before passengers board the planes. Also, passengers may be required to scan their passports at the departure gate for the system to be able to match the photo to the real face.
- As Europe's economies have come to a standstill due to the outbreak of COVID-19, so has the European airport network. According to Airport Council International (ACI), passenger traffic fell by -59.5% during March 2020, dragging the first quarter passenger traffic down by -21%. But while Europe's airports still handled 5.1 million passengers on 1 March (-11.7% compared to the same day in 2019), the traffic had reduced to 174 thousand by 31 March 2020 (-97.1% compared to the same day in 2019). However, once the lockdown is lifted, the air traffic's normalcy is expected to attain gradually.
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United Kingdom is Expected to Hold Major Share
- The major driving force for the market in the United Kingdom is the government initiatives regarding national security, counter-terrorism, and the need to guard against the increased threat of crime. The counter-terrorism legislation, Terrorism Act 2000, gave increased power to the home secretary and the police to combat terrorism. In 2003, the government introduced a counter-terrorism strategy called CONTEST. Currently, in its fourth iteration, the strategy aims to strengthen protections against terrorist attacks.
- Multiple airports in the United Kingdom are investing in security screening solutions. For instance, in August 2019, Guernsey Airport invested more than GBP 1.5 million in new screening equipment as the airport aims to resolve delays caused by traditional equipment. In June 2019, Heathrow announced the rollout of new computed tomography (CT) security equipment throughout the airport over the next few years. The airport is investing over GBP 50 million to roll out the X-ray equipment. Once fully operational, the enhanced technology is expected to reduce passenger time significantly.
- In October 2019, Leidos, the United States defense and technology contractor, was given a contract by the United Kingdom government to converge the government’s two existing biometric databases. The data, including fingerprints, DNA, and facial images, are held within the Immigration and Asylum Biometrics System (IABS) and used by immigration agents, border force and the passport office, and IDENT1, which serves law enforcement agencies, such as the police department.
- While the United Kingdom market is mature and proliferating, newcomers can have significant challenges with no previous track record in the country. Owing to this reason, foreign players usually partner with an established local partner. However, the market is facing various challenges. For instance, in August 2019, the fingerprints of over 1 million people, as well as facial recognition information, personal information of employees, and unencrypted usernames and passwords were discovered on a public database for a company used by the United Kingdom metropolitan police, defense contractors, and banks.
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