MANCHESTER AIRPORT NEWS - 17/01/2010

Two-thirds of Brits support airport scanner introduction

By Jeremy Price.

Two-thirds of Brits support plans to install full body security scanners at airports in the UK, a poll indicates.

According to figures gathered by travel company Skyscanner, 66 per cent of respondents believed the scanners would improve efficiency and security, while 30 per cent had issues with privacy and health.

The devices have already been trialled at Manchester Airport and are expected to be installed at a number of UK airports in the near future.

Barry Smith, Skyscanner co-founder and business director, commented: "As long as the machines are safe and any potential privacy issues can be solved, travellers are in favour of anything which will make flying safer and security checks faster."

Mr Smith added that he supports the introduction of the scanners if it means he no longer had to take his shoes off or empty his pockets when travelling through airports in the UK.

The Transportation Security Administration reassured travellers recently that the health risks associated with the X-ray devices are almost non-existent.

British imaging company TeraView recently announced plans to develop a scanner that does not produce such comprehensive pictures of passengers' bodies using terahertz technology.

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