Body Scanners At Manchester Airport: What To Expect

Manchester Airport has used body scanners in the past, but they were scrapped in 2012. The scanners were implemented following a year-long trial in 2009, and were installed in all three terminals. The body scanners used a low dose of X-rays to scan through clothing, producing naked images of passengers to identify any concealed items. However, concerns were raised about potential privacy breaches and harmful radiation emissions. In 2012, the airport replaced the body scanners with privacy-friendly scanners that produce cartoon-style images of passengers, along with additional security staff. More recently, in 2024, there have been reports of CT scanners being used at Manchester Airport, which may refer to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, which has installed new advanced technology computed tomography checkpoint scanners.

Manchester Airport installed body scanners in all three terminals in 2010

The body scanners were designed to scan passengers in seconds, with individuals walking through a 'door frame' or standing still between two 'walls'. Passengers could opt out of the body scan, but this would require an alternative screening method, such as a hand search conducted in a private area.

The installation of body scanners at Manchester Airport was not without controversy. During the trial period, two Muslim women refused to pass through the scanners on religious grounds. However, they later visited the airport to learn more about the technology, allaying their fears. Additionally, the Equality and Human Rights Commission raised concerns that the scanners might breach privacy laws.

In 2012, Manchester Airport replaced the initial body scanners with "privacy-friendly" scanners at a cost of £1.3 million. The new scanners provided increased privacy by producing cartoon-style images of passengers rather than naked images. This move addressed concerns about the use of ionising radiation technology and reinforced the airport's commitment to enhancing security and improving the passenger experience.

The scanners were replaced by 'privacy-friendly' scanners in 2012

Manchester Airport previously used body scanners in all three of its terminals. The machines were introduced following a year-long trial that began in October 2009. The scanners were deemed safe by a report from the European Commission (EC) in March 2012. However, critics claimed that the machines invaded passenger privacy by producing graphic X-ray-style naked images of passengers.

In September 2012, it was announced that the body scanners would be replaced by "privacy-friendly" scanners. This decision came after the EC failed to make a decision on the use of the body scanners following a three-year trial, which ended in October 2012. The new scanners were introduced in line with EU rules and cost £1.3 million, plus an additional 55 security staff.

The "privacy-friendly" scanners use radio frequency-based millimetre wave technology instead of X-rays to scan passengers. This eliminates the need for a security officer to view body outlines, as the new scanners produce automatic cartoon-style images. A computer analyses the scans and alerts staff to potential "threat areas" using a stick figure diagram. This provides increased privacy for passengers while still allowing for effective security screening.

The introduction of the new scanners at Manchester Airport was part of a trial that was expected to last three months. The trial aimed to test the next-generation scanner technology and improve the passenger experience while maintaining high security standards.

The scanners were deemed safe by the EC in 2011

Manchester Airport in the UK introduced body scanners in all three of its terminals in 2010 following a year-long trial. The trial began in October 2009, and by the end of that year, over 400,000 passengers had gone through the body scanners.

The body scanners were designed to address security concerns and reduce queuing times. According to the airport, 95% of travellers preferred the scanners, and the time taken for security checks was significantly reduced—a pat-down could take up to two minutes, while walking through a body scanner took only 25 seconds.

However, the body scanners were not without controversy. In 2010, two Muslim women refused to go through the scanners on religious grounds. The Equality and Human Rights Commission also expressed concerns that the use of body scanners might breach privacy laws.

Despite these concerns, the European Commission (EC) authorised the use of ionising radiation 'Backscatter' scanners in 2010. In 2011, the EC deemed the scanners safe in a report, stating that they posed no risk of emitting harmful levels of radiation.

Nevertheless, in 2012, Manchester Airport announced that it would be replacing the body scanners with "privacy-friendly" scanners at a cost of £1.3 million. The new scanners produced cartoon-style images of passengers, providing more privacy. This decision came after the EC failed to make a final decision on the body scanners following the conclusion of the three-year trial in 2012.

The scanners reduced queuing times and 95% of travellers preferred them

Manchester Airport introduced body scanners in all three of its terminals in 2010, following a year-long trial that began in October 2009. The airport's managing director, Andrew Harrison, said that the body scanners were introduced because one of the most common complaints from passengers was about being patted down during security checks.

The body scanners reduced queuing times and, according to the airport, 95% of travellers preferred them. A pat-down search can take up to two minutes, whereas walking through a body scanner takes just 25 seconds. Despite the positive feedback, the body scanners were scrapped in 2012 as they failed to get a decision from the European Commission (EC) after the three-year trial ended.

The body scanners used a low dose of X-rays to scan through clothing, producing naked images of passengers to identify whether they had any concealed items. This raised concerns about privacy and the potential for harmful radiation exposure. The new "privacy-friendly" scanners produce automatic cartoon-style images of passengers, providing more privacy.

While the body scanners were in use, passengers could opt out of the body scan and choose to be screened by alternative methods such as a hand search. However, this would require additional time for a private search in a separate room.

Two Muslim women refused to use the scanners on religious grounds

In 2010, two Muslim women refused to use body scanners at Manchester Airport on religious grounds. The women, who were travelling together to Islamabad, were the first passengers to refuse to pass through the controversial security screen after checking in at the airport. They opted to miss their flight to Pakistan and forfeit tickets worth £400 each rather than be screened. One of the women refused to go through the scanner on religious grounds, while her companion declined for medical reasons, citing an infection.

The body scanners, which had been introduced at Manchester Airport following a year-long trial, used a low dose of X-rays to scan through clothing, producing naked images of passengers to identify whether they had any concealed items. The scanners were deemed safe in a report by the European Commission (EC) in March 2012. However, they had been criticised by human rights groups and the government's Equality and Human Rights Commission, which expressed concerns about potential breaches of privacy laws.

In the case of the two Muslim women, their refusal to use the body scanners stemmed from religious teachings on modesty and privacy. The Fiqh Council of North America, a group of Islamic scholars, had issued a fatwa warning Muslims not to go through the scanners as it violated Islamic teachings on nudity. The Quran commands believers to cover their private parts, and Islam emphasizes modesty as part of faith.

While some argued that privacy concerns should be outweighed by ensuring safety when flying, the airport respected the women's decision. The women were barred from their flight in accordance with government directives. Following the incident, the two Muslim women visited the airport to learn more about the body scanners, which helped allay their fears.

In September 2012, Manchester Airport announced that it would be scrapping the body scanners and replacing them with "privacy-friendly" scanners. These new scanners produce automatic cartoon-style images of passengers, providing more privacy while still ensuring effective security screening.

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