BAA confirms tightened security at Heathrow
Heathrow Airport will install full-body scanners that can see under passengers' clothing as soon as possible, it was confirmed this weekend.
BAA, the airport operator that owns London Heathrow along with five other major UK bases, made the announcement after Gordon Brown gave the go-ahead for the controversial technology.
The Prime Minister had promised a "gradual" introduction of the scanners in response to the Detroit terror scare, in which a man smuggled explosives through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Officials at the Dutch base committed to installing the technology last week, prompting Cheapflights to predict that the UK would follow suit shortly.
Within 48 hours of making that forecast, Prime Minister Brown had appeared on BBC1's Andrew Marr show to confirm that all British airports will install full-body scanners. He also unveiled an urgent review of airline security in response to what he described as a "new type of threat".
Speaking after Mr Brown made his remarks, a spokesman for BAA said: "Now that the government has given the go-ahead, we will introduce full body scanners as soon as practical.
"It is our view that a combination of technology, intelligence and passenger profiling will help build a more robust defence against the unpredictable and changing nature of the terrorist threat to aviation."
BAA presently owns and operates six UK airports, handling the majority of passengers that pass through London. Its decision to rapidly roll out the full-body scanners, which cost £100,000 each, illustrates the operator's commitment to maximising security for passengers at any cost.
Civil liberty campaigners had complained that the machines are tantamount to a "strip search" as they penetrate clothing, but proponents insist the threat justifies the privacy infringement.
Full-body scanners were already on trial at Manchester Airport prior to the failed Detroit terror attack, and had previously been tested at Heathrow between 2004 and 2008. They are already in place at 19 airports across the US, including major hubs such as New York JFK and Los Angeles LAX.
© Cheapflights Ltd (Creative Commons image: Fingalo / Wikimedia)
Comments:
SearchCommonPurpose - 05 January, 2010 at 1:24 am
Well I shall certainly be saying a clear 'No' if they are put at all airports because it goes against my religious and philosophical beliefs and values. Just say no. If they insist, I shall never use that particular airport again (Manchester, Heathrow) or use the Eurostar (a form of transnational transport that still allows water). Boycott these civil infringing airports. Really, think about what's going on here.
Mr GetReal - 05 January, 2010 at 4:20 pm
SearchCommonPurpose - don't be so paranoid. This is a safety measure not some devious excuse to have a look at your body. No-one is interested - sorry.
Anees - 05 January, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Paranoia aside, this is simply an infringement of basic civil liberties by any standards. We are being asked to have the equivalent of naked pictures taken of us, our wives and our children.
We all have every right and a duty to say no.
Whatarepeopleon - 06 January, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Have you seen the photos from this thing or are you just rehashing the Daily Express point of paranoia?
Given the alternative between a naked photo of me being on the internet (and let's face it there are enough naked photos on the internet, that I really don't think it will be an issue) and the plane blowing up I know which one I will take.....
Also given that I have never gone through security scanners and had to give my name kind of makes the photos fairly worthless to search for.
Mr GetReal - 06 January, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I have seen the photos. A picture of a grey fuzzy outline of your body is no big deal - so what's the fuss? Civil liberties? The most important of these is a right to life and that is what they are defending. What are you so protective about anyway ? Your body is not something to be ashamed of. It must be sad being so fearful and uptight!
rob35 - 07 January, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I suppose that so long as we don't go through the scanners thinking "naughty" thoughts, we men will be OK!
Mr GetReal - 08 January, 2010 at 1:54 pm
rob35 - grow up
Helen - 24 March, 2010 at 8:14 pm
No one has a right to see a naked image of my body. Some people appear ok with it but not everyone is, and therefore people should not be forced to do it. For me it is an invasion of my privacy and I do not feel at all comfortable about it. I shall certainly be refusing it and avoiding these airports.
KenB - 25 March, 2010 at 11:48 am
To Helen: I can think of no greater invasion of your privacy than having yourself blown to bits and someone having to collect up the pieces. Perhaps its the ones who make the most fuss that we have to be concerned about.