Taiwan

Monday, Oct 14, 2024 | 6 minute read | Updated at Monday, Oct 14, 2024

Taiwan’s geopolitical situation means that its airport security system is relatively advanced, yet constrained by its own unique set of challenges.

Taiwan has two major international airports – Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) – both of which handle substantial volumes of passengers annually. Taiwan Taoyuan International, the largest, serves about 46 million passengers annually as of 2019 and is responsible for more than 85% of Taiwan’s international flights.

The key components of Taiwan’s airport security system typically rely on comprehensive identity verification, baggage and passenger screening, access control, and security personnel. The system aims to create a balance between ensuring security and facilitating the smooth and efficient operation of daily flights.

Infrastructure

Access Control System

Taiwan’s airports employ multi-layered access control systems that separate secured areas from public areas. Only authorized personnel (security workers, airline staff, and technicians) can access restricted zones through biometric and card-based identification systems.

Biometric and Identity Verification Systems

Taiwan has adopted initiatives that rely heavily on biometrics (facial recognition, fingerprints) to authenticate crew members, airport personnel, and even passengers in some sectors. In line with international best practices (in particular ICAO recommendations), Taiwan relies on machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs) for international travelers combined with biometric data for identity verification.

Baggage and Passenger Screening

Airport security includes advance baggage screening systems via X-ray and explosive detection systems, meeting international safety criteria. For passengers, multiple screening layers are utilized, including behavior observation, advanced metal detectors, and body scanners.

Secure Data & Communications

Taiwan’s security infrastructure is integrated into a central management system to analyze threats in real time. Data on arriving and departing passengers is screened via international security databases such as Interpol, the US No-Fly List, and others in conjunction with Taiwan’s own intelligence.

Implementation

Staff and Coordination

Security staff at Taiwanese airports includes local police forces, specially trained security personnel responsible for screening passengers and baggage, and cooperation among various agencies like the National Immigration Agency (NIA) and Aviation Police Office. Airport security personnel in Taiwan are trained in modern security procedures, including how to handle cognitive load under high stress to optimize throughput while managing crowd safety.

Technology Utilization

Taiwan leans on technology to supplement its human resources. Automated immigration e-gates using biometric identification like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning have substantially reduced waiting times for travelers. Additionally, Taiwan is currently adopting Smart Security, an initiative spearheaded by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to increase the usage of automation in airport security. Smart Security projects include automated lanes for outbound checks and the use of artificial intelligence to scan baggage faster while reducing false positive alerts on scanned objects.

Screening Methods and Standard Operating Procedures

At checkpoints, Taiwan’s system follows a multi-faceted screening approach:

Security personnel manually inspect identification documents as well as perform physical body checks of passengers.
Passengers must pass through millimeter-wave body scanners that detect hidden threats, and baggage is assessed via trace-detection and computed tomography (CT) machines, which render highly detailed 3D images.
Passenger data interchange between government databases enhances threat identification as biometric and travel document data is cross-referenced against security watchlists.

Relationship with International Agencies

Although Taiwan is not a member of the ICAO because of its geopolitical status, it abides by ICAO’s foundational policies and accountability standards. Taiwanese authorities also cooperate with other international security bodies such as INTERPOL, ensuring that security protocols are kept effective and up to date.

Strengths

Technological Innovation

Taiwan’s effective implementation of modern technology such as biometric-based access control and intelligent scanning devices helps reduce human error and increases verification speeds. Taiwan’s gradual integration of artificial intelligence for baggage screening is becoming a noteworthy strength, particularly in improving the accuracy of threat detection during rush hours.

Integrated Communication Systems

Taiwan’s central security data systems, although technologically robust, have a high level of interconnection, allowing centralized monitoring and analysis. This integration ensures enhanced cooperation between various agencies involved in maintaining airport security, leading to a decrease in illicit activities.

Effective Use of ICAO Guidelines

Despite its inability to formally join the ICAO, Taiwan’s adherence to ICAO standards ensures that Taiwanese airports remain on par with global security practices for civil aviation, including stringent passenger identity checks and screening measures.

Key Weaknesses

Because Taiwan isn’t officially a member of the ICAO due to its contested sovereignty, it cannot directly contribute to or participate in crafting global aviation security policies, which can sometimes delay reaction times for addressing new global security threats.

Additionally, while Taiwan’s system is optimized for security, there are occasional bottlenecks at checkpoints, particularly during high-traffic seasons. An over-reliance on human-driven processes prior to automation, such as manual review of biometric data and physical security checks, can slow throughput. Despite recent improvements in automated data systems (e.g., e-gates), checkpoints can still lead to significant passenger delays.

STAR Rating

Security

Taiwan’s airport security system is highly robust. It meets global standards, has tight identity verification systems, and effectively mitigates external threats using real-time information synchronization. The layers of checks across various points reduce the risks of dangerous items or persons entering aircraft or restricted airport zones. The system also constantly evolves, with periodic updating of hardware and protocols required to meet modern threats. Taiwan’s collaboration with global agencies like INTERPOL increases its ability to detect and mitigate international threats.

4/5

Throughput

The introduction of self-service e-gates and automated lanes has significantly improved throughput in recent years. However, there are challenges during peak times, where the system can face significant operational bottlenecks. While advanced tools like biometric verification and automated baggage scanners reduce some burdens, manual screening and interventions support the bulk of ongoing operations, limiting the overall speed and efficiency of passenger flow.

3/5

Accuracy

Taiwan’s AI-assisted scanner systems and biometric verification are accurate, but there are still instances of notable false positives, especially in automated baggage screening systems. However, the use of AI algorithms to assist screeners enables more precise targeting of suspicious objects or behaviors, mitigating potential threats. The system, for its scale, has a low rate of false negatives (i.e., missing a genuine threat), but the occasional false positives could slow operations.

4/5

Readiness

Taiwan’s airport security system is highly adaptable and ready for evolving threats. The use of internationally aligned standards (ICAO) and modern updating of security hardware and software indicates that the system remains flexible and forward-looking. Taiwan’s commitment to ongoing investments in security technologies and efficient personnel training programs ensures continued readiness against both current and future threats.

5/5