PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The United States Wednesday said it has donated four explosive trace detection (ETD) machines to the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) that will streamline security screening for passengers by improving and speeding up detection of suspected explosives on carry-on baggage
US Ambassador Candace Bond officially donated ETD, each about as large as a standard printer to the AATT on behalf of the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).
“This security enhancement will minimize threats to transportation security and upgrade the overall screening experience for passengers. I am delighted we can roll this out just at the start of the increased commercial travel period during Carnival, and that the benefits to travelers to and from Trinidad and Tobago will last for years to come,” she said.
Works and Transport Minister, Rohan Sinanan, thanked Washington for the donation, saying the Airport Authority and the US security services have always worked very closely.
“We intend to continue that. We have always welcomed your support. Thank you, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, thank you Civil Aviation Authority, thank you TSA, and thank you to the United States of America, the government of the United States of America for all your support.”
The equipment is valued at US$200,000 and the US Embassy here said since 2021, TSA has donated aviation security equipment to increase the technical screening capacity of security partners within Trinidad and Tobago.
It said the TSA worked with the U.S. Department of State Counterterrorism Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Programme (ICITAP) to identify, procure, and deliver two Advanced Image Technology (AIT) body scanners in 2021.
“ Each AIT is valued at US$200,000. TSA also provides training for local security officers to utilize the technology. The scanners have improved transportation security for the traveling public,” the US Embassy said.
