Replacement of security screening equipment at Tallinn Airport starts

The replacement of security screening equipment at Tallinn Airport with new and more efficient machines will begin on 16 January. The work, which will continue until early April, may lead to longer queues than usual at security checks, so we ask passengers to arrive at the airport two hours before departure.

According to Tarvi Pihlakas, Head of the Airport Security Department, the renovation work will be divided into two stages: “Two of the five security screening devices will be replaced first, and until mid-February passengers will be served by the three remaining security devices. The two new-generation devices will start working on 19 February, but then we’ll close down the three older security screening devices to replace them. The replacement of the equipment is expected to be completed in April, when we’ll be able to start working with five new devices.”

Airport security staff perform aviation security procedures with diligence in compliance with all international standards and requirements. Tarvi Pihlakas notes that longer queues at security checks may occur during renovation work: “At peak times, and especially in the early morning when the passengers of several flights are travelling at the same time, it may happen that people have to wait longer. For a smoother passage through the airport and to avoid missing your flight, we advise everyone to arrive at the airport two hours before departure,” emphasised Pihlakas, adding that it’s difficult to change different equipment at the airport, as passenger service must not be interrupted and the quality of service must not deteriorate.

The purpose of the work is to make passing through security checks even more convenient and faster in the future, but it’s necessary to cope in more complicated conditions for some time to achieve this. According to Pihlakas, the work will be carried out as quickly as possible in order to restore the usual functioning of the airport ahead of the peak summer travel season: “We thank all passengers in advance for their understanding and patience,” adds Pihlakas.

During the construction period, it will not be possible to purchase or use the airport’s fast track service. Suspension of the service is linked to ensuring a smoother flow of passengers, so it’s particularly important to arrive at the airport in good time, i.e. two hours before departure.