Website of the UK government

Body scanners

More about increased security at UK airports

• New security measures

Body scanners will give airport security staff an increased ability to detect explosives or other potentially harmful items hidden on a passenger’s body.

For the present time only a proportion of airline passengers will be selected for screening. Passengers will not be selected for screening based on their race, ethnic origin, gender or age.

Safeguards have been put in place to make sure that privacy is respected.

However, if a passenger is selected for scanning, and refuses, they will not be allowed to fly. 

Consultation on code of practice

Given concerns about privacy, health and safety, data protection and equality, an interim code of practice governing the use of body scanners has been drawn up.

This will require airports to use body scanners sensitively and bear in mind the rights of passengers.

A full public consultation will be held shortly, which will help draw up permanent guidelines for the use of body scanners at UK airports.

To read the interim code of practice, follow the link below.

• Interim code of practice for body scanners Opens new window

More on Directgov

• Increased security at UK airports

• 'No fly list' created to boost aviation security

• What to expect at the airport (travel and transport section)

• What to expect from an airport security check (disabled people section)

• Air travel hand baggage rules (travel and transport section)