Smiths Detection delivers automated IRBS between South Korea and US

Above: The HI-SCAN 10080 XCT.
Courtesy Smiths Detection
 
This implementation of IRBS is led by Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC). Under the new IRBS model, the checked baggage of passengers departing from or connecting through Incheon International Airport (IIA) Terminal 2 is screened remotely by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before landing in the United States. Once cleared, baggage is transferred directly to its destination, eliminating the traditional reclaim-and-recheck process at the first US arrival airport, a breakthrough for International-to-Domestic (I2D) connections. 
 
This removes a critical bottleneck, reduces connection times by up to 20 minutes and significantly enhances both passenger experience and airport efficiency. While the system currently applies only to the Atlanta route, IRBS-enabled routes are expected to gradually expand to Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Detroit and Salt Lake City.

The system is powered by SecurePort-IRBS-K, Smiths Detection’s remote screening platform, deployed with 22 software licenses and integrated with HI-SCAN 10080 XCT computed tomography (CT) X-ray systems installed at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2. The HI-SCAN 10080 XCT provides high-resolution, 3D volumetric imaging of checked baggage, enabling sophisticated threat detection while seamlessly integrating with Incheon’s advanced baggage handling facilities, screening equipment systems and automation infrastructure. All images and metadata are exported using the DICOS V3.0 standard and securely transmitted to CBP through a fully compliant data-exchange environment.
 
“The deployment of SecurePort-IRBS-K at Incheon marks a defining moment for the global aviation security industry,” said Sunghoon Eom, Country Manager, South Korea, Smiths Detection. “This is the first time a fully automated, DICOS-based baggage screening workflow has been executed between two sovereign countries. Incheon’s leadership and Smiths Detection’s vision made this milestone possible.”

Cymoril Métivier, Global Digital Portfolio Director, Smiths Detection, added: “IRBS is more than a system – it is a blueprint for the future of aviation. By leveraging the performance of the HI-SCAN 10080 XCT and advanced digital connectivity, Incheon International Airport Corporation has shown how airports can scale securely, eliminate friction points and redefine the international passenger experience. This model will shape global airport strategies for years to come.”

Looking ahead, Smiths Detection shall be able to support IIAC’s continued innovation with the next-generation SDX 10080 SCT, the strategic successor to the 10080 XCT. Designed to be future-ready, the SDX 10080 SCT delivers enhanced image quality, improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption and compliance with evolving global regulatory standards. Its seamless upgrade path ensures that Incheon can continue its modernisation journey with minimal disruption as passenger volumes and regulatory demands evolve.

Operational service for IRBS began in August 2025, following a multiagency certification effort involving the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, Leidos and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. All data handling and transmission meet the requirements of Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act and US CBP security and cybersecurity protocols.

The implementation represents Phase 2 of a broader multiyear roadmap that will continue expanding remote screening capabilities. Through this pioneering partnership between IIAC and Smiths Detection, Incheon is not simply keeping pace with the future – it is defining it, reinforcing its position as the global leader in secure, intelligent and seamless international travel.