UK and other EU countries in urgent review of naked scanners at airports

The introduction of new security technology at airports across Europe, including so-called naked body scanners, could be sped up in the aftermath of the failed bomb plot on-board a US-bound passenger jet on Christmas Day.

UK government officials say an urgent review is underway following the arrest of a suspect who allegedly tried to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253 on its final approach to Detroit airport from Amsterdam Schipol.

The review in the UK is being carried out ahead of an hastily convened meeting next week of European Union member states to discuss wider airport security measures.

The controversial naked scanners are currently on trial at a number of airports across the EU, including Manchester Airport in the UK, while the Transportation Security Administration rubber-stamped the roll-out of a programme for US airports earlier this year.

Recent events appear to have brought the UK trials – one was also carried out at London Heathrow in 2004 – to the top of the agenda, with a DfT spokesperson telling Tnooz that despite constant reviews taking place regarding security issues, introduction of body scanners are now being “assessed urgently”.

“Trials of body scanners have already taken place and these are being assessed urgently as part of an immediate review of airport security. The secretary of state will make a further statement on additional measures shortly.”

The UK government’s review may be superseded if the EU meeting next week orders member states to introduce body scanners at airports.

Individual countries can set their own security policy but minimum standards are controlled by the European Commission, a spokesperson for the UK’s biggest airport operator, BAA, says.

But with each scanner each coming in at around Euro 100,000 to install and operate, airport owners – such as BAA in the UK – will be forced to carry the cost rather than central government picking up the tab.

Dutch security officials say body scanners will be introduced for US-bound flights as soon as possible and has called on the EU to force other member states to do the same.