World’s best airport upgrades AI surveillance to spot runway debris as small as 4 cm

Singapore’s Changi Airport is partnering with local technology company NCS to improve an AI-powered surveillance system designed to identify runway debris measuring as little as four centimeters.

The partnership, announced on Oct. 29, will develop a third-generation version of iFerret, enhancing its detection capabilities and extending its deployment.

The upgraded system is expected to identify objects as small as four centimeters with roughly 95% accuracy, according to Singapore’s Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao.

Such objects, known in aviation as foreign object debris, can include metal fragments, loose aircraft components and other materials that could damage aircraft or disrupt takeoffs and landings.

iFerret uses a network of high-definition cameras installed along runways to continuously scan for potential hazards. AI analyzes the images to distinguish debris from harmless visual distractions, including shadows and reflections on wet surfaces.

Unlike manual inspections conducted periodically, the system operates around the clock, allowing airport personnel to identify potential hazards and respond more quickly.

An early version was introduced in 2009, followed by a more advanced version that began deployment in 2021. The newer version reduced false alerts by approximately 90%, according to NCS, as reported by The Straits Times.

False alarms can occur when runway surfaces produce misleading images, particularly when rainwater reflects light. Reducing them helps airport personnel focus on genuine safety threats and avoid unnecessary inspections.

The latest collaboration aims to further improve the system's performance and expand its deployment, although NCS has not announced when the third-generation version will be completed.

The upgrade comes as Changi prepares for further expansion, including its fifth passenger terminal, which is expected to open in the mid-2030s.

Changi was named the world's best airport at the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards, ahead of South Korea's Incheon International Airport and Japan's Haneda Airport.