Australia's Department of Infrastructure and Transport has announced a two-week trial to examine an advanced explosive detection technology at Melbourne and Sydney domestic airports.

Two advanced multi-view explosive detection x-ray machines and a number of bottled liquid scanners, which use a range of technologies to detect explosive material disguised in, for example, a bottle of sports drink, will be used during the trial.

The technology has the potential to remove the need for passengers to discard oversized containers of shampoo, water, soft drinks, hair products and alcohol before they board an international flight, says transport minister Anthony Albanese. Currently such items are inspected before boarding international flights.

The trial is funded as part of the A$200 million ($196 million) aviation security package which was in February, says Albanese.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news