UK to deploy full-body scanners in anti-terror struggle

Governments and aviation authorities are tightening airport security measures in the wake of an alleged attempt to blow up a passenger aircraft on 25 December 2009.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on 4 January 2010 that whole-body imaging for airline passengers is set to be introduced at UK airports.

With liquids again being implicated in a terrorist threat to aviation, the recent debate in Europe on the installation of liquid-screening technologies has been brought into sharp focus. The EC timetable envisages deployment of such devices in 2011 for transit passengers and 2013 for all passengers.

Aviation security officials in Europe have discussed the merits of so-called Type C liquid-detection systems (which would enable an unrestricted volume of liquid to be screened outside the carry-on bag) or whether it would be more appropriate for airports to wait for a Type D capability to become available (which would in effect move further towards conditions in place before the foiled August 2006 liquid explosives plot).