£1m naked scanners are axed
NAKED body scanners are to be scrapped from Manchester airport – because of a delay in approval from Brussels.
The 13 security machines will be replaced by “privacy friendly” scanners with 55 extra security staff to frisk passengers by hand.
But the move, which will cost the airport more than £1million, has infuriated bosses.
Naked body scanners are to be scrapped from Manchester airport
Andrew Harrison, chief operating officer at parent company MAG, said: “We’re baffled by this situation because health experts say they are safe, it’s frustrating that Brussels has allowed this successful trial to end.”
Brussels legislation does not allow security trials to exceed a three-year period. The devices – which show hidden explosives or weapons – were introduced as a pilot scheme in October 2009, but faced criticism they invaded passenger privacy.