You built the layout above, but you still see "Security Level: Red" or agents moving slowly? Here is the verification checklist for common bugs:
Issue: Agents standing idle while the line is 50 people long.
Issue: Bags are exploding (Items flying everywhere).
Issue: Passengers are walking through the Body Scanner without removing laptops.
Here is the exact blueprint. Copy this tile for tile.
Dimensions: 20 tiles wide (Left to Right) x 30 tiles deep (Top to Bottom).
Grid (North to South):
Verification Check:
In the world of airport simulation, the "Security Layout Verified" message is the game’s way of telling the player that their engineering meets the standards of modern aviation safety. It is a testament to a design that respects the laws of the virtual world: keep the bad elements out, let the good elements flow, and ensure the architecture supports the bustling life of the terminal.
To create a verified security layout in SimAirport, you must balance throughput speed with space efficiency to avoid passenger "blobs" and missed flights. The "Golden Ratio" of Security
A deep review of community-verified layouts suggests that security should be built "shallow but wide". This means spreading your layout across a large horizontal area to accommodate multiple parallel lanes rather than long, winding queues. The recommended equipment ratio to maintain fluid flow is: 1 ID Check Stand 1 Bag Scanner 1 Metal Detector (or Body Scanner) Strategic Layout Components
Lane Assignment: In advanced setups, manually assign each lane to specific queues to prevent the AI from failing and ending up in loops.
The "U-Shape" Concept: One highly effective verified layout involves creating a large "U" of security zones wrapped around a central ticketing hub. This has been shown to support up to 10 XL gates efficiently using approximately 60 lanes.
Equipment Sequencing: While players often place the ID stand first, ensure you leave enough space between the bag scanner and metal detector for "helper arrows" to guide orientation, which prevents pathfinding errors. Operational Deep Review Recommendation Throughput simairport security layout verified
Body scanners are realistically safer but simulate slower than metal detectors in-game.
Use Metal Detectors for high-volume economy gates; save Body Scanners for specialized "Premium" lanes. Staffing Security lanes require constant monitoring.
Research Advanced Security to unlock the full "Assign To" functionality for ID stands. Maintenance Bag scanners can break down and require toolboxes to fix.
Place a Maintenance Room near the security zone to minimize downtime during scanner failures. Flow Fixes
AI often fails if the bag scanner is placed after the metal detector.
Always place the ID Stand → Bag Scanner → Metal Detector in a straight line. Common Layout Pitfalls
The "Wasp-Waist": Avoid bottlenecking all passengers into a single narrow entry point before the ID stands.
Wasted Space: Many layouts end up as "boxes" with empty voids. Use planning tools to find the center of your map and divide security into four equal, manageable quadrants.
The "Save Bug": Be aware that scripts can sometimes fail upon loading a saved game, causing sudden "blobs" at scanners even in verified layouts. Recalculating lanes or restarting the game often fixes this. Building ADVANCED SECURITY — SimAirport (#4)
An effective SimAirport security layout relies on balancing the throughput of three main components: the ID Check Stand, the Bag Scanner, and the Metal Detector or Body Scanner. Because security often requires more space and staff than in real-world airports, a "verified" layout usually follows a wide-and-shallow footprint to accommodate the necessary volume. Optimal Throughput Ratios
A core challenge is that different machines process passengers (PAX) at different speeds. Planning around the slowest unit—the Metal Detector or Body Scanner—is the standard strategy.
Verified Ratio: The most efficient setup is often cited as 1 Metal Detector : 2 Bag Scanners. Calculated Capacities (PAX per Hour): Bag Scanner: ~74 pph Metal Detector: ~30 pph
Body Scanner: ~20–25 pph (Body scanners are slower and generally not recommended for high-volume lanes unless required). ID Check Stand: ~29–32 pph You built the layout above, but you still
Scaling your airport to handle thousands of passengers is impossible without a rock-solid security strategy. In SimAirport
, security isn’t just about placing scanners; it's about flow, ratios, and preventing the dreaded terminal-wide gridlock
Here is how to build a verified, high-throughput security layout. The "Shallow but Wide" Strategy The gold standard for high-capacity terminals is a shallow but wide
layout. Avoid building deep security zones that force passengers to walk long distances between scanners. Instead, line up your lanes horizontally to minimize travel time from the ticketing desks to the boarding gates.
For ultra-large airports, some players use a "U-shape" security zone wrapped around a central ticketing area. This can easily handle over 10 XL gates by providing roughly 60 lanes in a compact footprint. Verified Ratios for Peak Efficiency
Efficiency depends on the ratio of equipment. A bottleneck at any stage will cause a backlog that ripples back to the front door. The Standard Unit: Build in blocks of
1 ID Check → 1 Bag Scanner → 1 Metal Detector/Body Scanner The Queue Rule: For maximum throughput, assign one queue to every two lanes
. A single massive queue for all lanes is significantly less efficient and can lead to pathfinding delays.
Ensure your security zones are staffed 100% during peak flight windows, though you can drop to 50% during quiet overnight periods to save on wages. Vertical Expansion: The Second Floor Hack
If you’ve run out of space on the ground floor, move security upstairs. Separation:
Place Business/First Class security on the ground floor near premium lounges, and move Coach security to the second floor. Access Requirements:
Passengers are picky about vertical movement. They often won't go to a second-floor security zone if you only have an escalator. Always provide both stairs and escalators
in the unzoned (pre-security) section to ensure they can find a path. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Issue: Bags are exploding (Items flying everywhere)
Even the best layout will fail if your equipment breaks down. Toolbox Lockers:
Ensure your maintenance rooms have enough toolbox lockers and workmen to keep scanners running. A single broken machine in a high-traffic lane can cause a total gridlock. Security Overlay: If passengers aren't using a zone, use the Security Overlay
tool to check for gaps in your zoning. A single unzoned tile can break the entire pathing logic, making a gate unreachable. Common Layout Mistakes to Avoid Exiting Through Security:
Never force arriving passengers to exit through your security checkpoint. Create a dedicated, one-way "Security Exit" (the sliding glass doors) that leads directly to baggage claim or the street. Missing Restrooms: Place restrooms and vending machines immediately before and after
the security zone. If a passenger’s bladder hits 100% while they are in the security queue, they may abandon the line, causing further delays.
Ready to build the world's most efficient hub? Check out more community-verified designs on the SimAirport Steam Community
Let’s build the gold standard: The Parallel Triple-Lane System. This is the most common "verified" layout used by players managing 2,000+ PAX.
To achieve verification, the player must construct a layout that satisfies both the game’s logic engine and the pragmatic needs of virtual passengers.
1. The Queue Management System A verified layout requires a robust queue system. The simulation calculates the flow rate; if the queue backing reaches the entrance of the airport, the verification may flag a "flow error." Intelligent placement of Queue Lines and Rope Barriers is essential to maximize throughput during peak hours.
2. The Screening Gauntlet The core of the verification lies in the specific equipment deployment:
3. The "Forbidden" Items Logic In advanced simulation modes, the layout verification is tied to the logic of contraband. The engine tests the layout’s ability to process prohibited items. Does the layout have a "search area" or a "contraband disposal" unit? If a passenger triggers the detector, the layout must have a physical space for the secondary screening, or the verification fails.
Use this checklist to ensure your layout is not just technically verified, but operationally verified:
Never, ever place stairs or escalators to a second floor within 10 tiles of your security exit. Passengers need to decide their gate direction. If they hit stairs immediately, they will stop moving, causing a "traffic jam" that backs up into the detectors. The game still shows "verified," but the system is dead.
Once you have verified the base layout, you can modify it for VIPs and Staff.
The Verified Staff Bypass: Place a staff door (unlocked) on the far left of Row 13. Connect it to a separate, single ID Checker and a single Scanner. Staff take 1/10th the time of passengers.
