Frankfurt Becomes World’s First Airport to Use Walkthrough Scanners

(FRANKFURT) Frankfurt Airport on August 18, 2025 became the first airport worldwide to put advanced walkthrough security scanners into regular daily use, following authorization by the German Federal Police after a year-long trial. The system—Rohde & Schwarz QPS Walk2000—now screens roughly 18,000 departing passengers a day at the main Terminal 1 checkpoint, a scale industry analysts describe as a new European benchmark for both speed and security.

Fraport AG, the airport operator, said the early-2025 full rollout followed tests in Concourse A of Terminal 1. The company is extending the technology across more lanes in Terminal 1 and planning deployment in the new Terminal 3. Since 2023, Fraport has invested €22 million to modernize checkpoints, pairing the walkthrough scanners with advanced CT technology and updated lane designs to support continuous flow.

Rollout and technology specifics

Unlike conventional scanners that require travelers to stop and hold a pose, the Rohde & Schwarz QPS Walk2000 lets passengers walk through at a normal pace. That single change addresses one of the biggest pinch points in airport screening—start-and-stop movements that slow lines and cause stress during peak periods.

The system uses millimeter-wave signals and AI-based detection software to scan for threats. If the scanner flags something, an on-screen avatar highlights the exact area on the body, so staff can carry out a focused, limited check instead of repeated full-body rescans. The manufacturer says its algorithms cut down on false alarms, which helps officers move passengers forward faster and with fewer secondary checks.

Both the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have approved the technology. TSA’s overview of advanced imaging systems is available on its official site: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/advanced-imaging-technology. These approvals matter for travelers who move between regions, since airports often aim for equipment that meets multiple regulatory frameworks.

Alexander Laukenmann, head of Fraport’s Aviation division, called the walkthrough deployment a world first that sets “a new standard of passenger security” with a “360° walkthrough scanner,” adding that the aim is to make checkpoints faster and easier while maintaining a high security bar.

Responsibility for checkpoint operations shifted to Fraport on January 1, 2023, and the company now organizes, manages, and operates about 160 security lanes, while the German Federal Police continue to define standards, approve equipment, and certify screeners.

Rohde & Schwarz, which supplies the technology, has presented the QPS Walk2000 alongside its QPS201 at international trade shows. The firm’s vice president for microwave imaging, Andreas Hägele, has pointed to the collaboration with Fraport and the scale of Frankfurt’s program as a model other large hubs can follow.

How the passenger process works

For passengers, the process is designed to feel simple:

1. Approach the security lane as usual.
2. Walk through at a normal pace—no need to stop or pose.
3. If required, staff carry out a quick, targeted check only on the area highlighted.
4. Continue to the gate if cleared.

Impact on travelers and the wider industry

The everyday benefit is a faster, calmer checkpoint. Passengers no longer need to remove belts or outerwear before passing the scanner, and they avoid the awkward stance common in older systems. That smoother flow matters for families, elderly travelers, and anyone rushing to make a connection.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the core promise is time saved without trading away detection performance, a balance airports have chased for years.

Operational effects are immediate. By cutting unnecessary alarms and focusing secondary checks, officers can keep lines moving and reduce bottlenecks at busy hours. With roughly 18,000 departing passengers already processed daily on the Walk2000 lanes, Frankfurt Airport has real-world data at scale, not just lab results or limited pilots. Fraport says the efficiency gains from targeted checks also free staff to focus attention where it’s needed most.

Security standards remain central. Regulators approved the technology after testing for detection rates and safety. On-screen avatars provide enhanced clarity for officers, and real-time imaging shortens the time between an alarm and resolution. This approach supports consistent outcomes across shifts and helps maintain a uniform experience across different lanes.

Program scale, timeline and future plans

• In 2024, Fraport signed a multi-year agreement with Rohde & Schwarz to deliver 100 new scanners over three years, building on earlier trials and regulatory approvals.
• In 2025, the Walk2000 moved into full-scale daily operations at Terminal 1, with more lanes to follow and Terminal 3 slated for deployment.

Industry reaction has been strong. Aviation security specialists call Frankfurt’s move a “game changer,” saying it’s likely to shape purchase decisions at other major hubs. Several airports in Europe and North America are piloting similar walkthrough or AI-supported systems. The expectation, shared by many analysts, is that adoption will spread as more airports see evidence that walkthrough scanning preserves detection standards while cutting wait times.

Rohde & Schwarz is also testing fully automated self-screening concepts in other locations, signaling a potential market shift toward high-throughput lanes that need fewer staff per lane, with officers redeployed to supervision and targeted interventions. While that future is still developing, Frankfurt’s deployment gives the industry a large-scale case study that blends advanced imaging, AI analysis, and a simpler passenger journey.

Practical tips for travelers at Frankfurt

If you’ll be traveling through Frankfurt as more lanes get the Walk2000, expect the following:

• Keep moving at a regular pace unless a staff member asks you to pause.
• You shouldn’t need to remove belts or outerwear for the scanner itself.
• If an alert happens, the officer will check only the area shown on the screen, which should be faster and less intrusive.

Environmental and operational context

Environmental goals also factor into the modernization. Fraport’s investment in new equipment and lane design is part of a broader plan that includes cutting carbon emissions and making daily operations more efficient. While security hardware alone doesn’t determine an airport’s footprint, smoother flow can reduce idling times and crowding inside terminals.

The German Federal Police’s role remains clear: they set requirements, oversee legal and technical matters, and approve equipment and training. That division of duties—with Fraport running operations and the Federal Police handling standards—has been in place since the start of 2023 and underpins the rollout’s pace.

Outlook and what to watch next

For now, Frankfurt’s focus is getting the expanded setup in place across Terminal 1 and preparing Terminal 3. Other European airports are watching closely.

If the model holds, travelers could see more walkthrough scanners across the continent in the coming 12 to 24 months, guided by one central measure: real-world throughput paired with steady detection results.

Frankfurt Airport’s early data, combined with approvals from ECAC and TSA, gives decision-makers a strong starting point. The next test will be achieving consistent performance during peak travel seasons and large events—moments when robust screening and steady flow matter most.