Some people flying out of Hong Kong won't need to take out their electronic devices and liquids during security checks from July 2, as new CT X-ray machines are introduced at the airport.

The new machines to check luggage will first be used at four of the 35 security screening lanes for departures from Terminal 1.

“By using a CT X-ray machine it can provide a 3D image to the screener. With the 3D image, the screener can help [security personnel] to make a better and quicker decision on whether the screened package is okay to pass through the screening process,” said executive director of airport operations Steven Yiu.

“We can increase the hourly throughput from the current 240 to 360 [people]. So this is almost a 50 percent increase in capacity.”

New full-body scanners will also be introduced in the lanes with the new CT X-ray machines, for those who set off the metal detectors.

“Normally, we require the passenger to go through the metal detector. When he/she triggers the alarm, the security operator will use the hand-held screener to do a second-tier check,” Yiu said.

“Now, we'll replace it with a full-body scanner, reducing the contact between the person and our security officer.”

Officials said they will gradually replace all the older X-ray machines and install the new full-body scanners in all security lanes in Terminal 1 departures as well as in transit areas, as part of a project costing more than HK$800 million.