Full body scanning machines began operating at two of the UK’s most popular airports on Monday February 1st 2010. These scanners have the ability to penetrate layers of clothing in order to detect the presence of concealed weapons or IEDs (improvised explosive devices), and their deployment at London Heathrow and Manchester airports follows both the Christmas Day 2009 bombing attempt carried out by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and airport operating group BAA’s assertion – just days afterwards – that London Heathrow’s security would be strengthened as a result.

In Manchester Airport’s case, trials of the airport security machines have been taking place since Autumn 2009.

Mr Abdulmutallab’s transatlantic flight began at Schiphol Airport in Holland, which already boasts a powerful array of full body scanners and is set to install additional examples in coming months.

Heathrow: New Airport Scanners

With these new airport scanners – produced by Rapiscan – now active at two UK airports – the security policy at both sites as far as they are concerned will not be to put every single passenger through them. Rather, individuals will be isolated and asked to be scanned. If they refuse, they will not be allowed to travel – full-stop.

“In the immediate future, only a small proportion of airline passengers will be selected for scanning”, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis clarified. “If a passenger is selected for scanning, and declines, they will not be permitted to fly.”

Airport Passenger Security Screening

The Department of Transport has issued guidelines to advise airport security staff on when they should apply additional passenger screening. The department’s terms, Lord Adonis added, “will require airports to undertake scanning sensitively, having regard to the rights of passengers.”

Controversy has swamped the issue of full body scanning for some months, now – with concerns over the fact that they could contravene privacy laws. Speaking today – Manchester Airport representative Sarah Barrett attempted to allay these fears.

“The image generated by the body scanner[s] cannot be stored or captured, nor can security officers viewing the images recognise people”, she said, adding “...contrary to reports, the equipment does not allow security staff to see passengers naked.”